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Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 22

Debate on the relative importance of industries in New Zealand at the Tariff Commission in Christchurch a day or two ago took an anatomical turn when Mr. W. Machin was giving evidence on behalf of the wheatgrowers, following an introductory speech by Mr. A. F. Wright, advoqijte for those interested in the retention of th£ sliding scale of duties on wheat. “And do you maintain,” interrupted Professor B. E. Murphy, “as Mr. Wright put it in his poetic way, that wheatgrowing is the backbone of the country?” Mr. Machin: Shall we say it is one of the vertebrae? “You wouldn’t say the wishbone?” Professor Murphy suggested. “We have encountered about four backbones already.” “We must all keep up a good conceit,” smiled Mr. Machin, and added. “I suppose we are all ‘wish’ bones'.”