THE PEOPLE'S BREAD

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 28, 1 August 1924, Page 6

THE PEOPLE'S BREAD

Members of the House of Representatives, irrespective of party divisions or differences, will be expected to thoroughly investigate proposals to increase the flour duty. In a statement attributed by a contemporary to the Minister of Agriculture, and published today, it is said that the reason for fhe proposed' increase of the duty is, "above all, to give every possible encouragement to the farmers to grow wheat in sufficient quantities to render New Zealand, independent of outside supplies." If New Zealand could wholly rely upon its farmers to furnish all the wheat required for home consumption, and even a small surplus for export, that would bean excellent thing for the Dominion. As it is, wheat production has been altogether too capricious. Not only was it short this last harvest, reduced sowings, but the scarcity was accentuated by adverse natural circumstances. The result has been that wheat imports for the first six months of this current year amount to 875,338 centals, and are reported to have cost £418,292. For the corresponding period of last year, they were 175 centals, and the value given is £59! The wheat farmers have already high duties on wheat, high duties on flour, and. the by-pro-ducts of milling. They have had guaranteed prices, and even an absolute prohibition- on all imports of wheat and flour, but they have failed to inspire confidence in the community on that vital questionof stability of supplies. The production of wheat in New. Zealand has been altogether too fickle, in recent years to satisfy disinterested onlookers that the wheat farmer is not studying the question, as he has a perfect right to do, solely from the business point of view. But the first thing that members will require to be convinced of is: Are the wheat growers demanding too much for their valuable services? Bread is higher hv New Zealand than in Great Britain, which is far from self-reliant in respect to wheat, by 3d per four-pound loaf. Members will be expected to thoroughly and intelligently investigate the whole question of wheat and fiour production and prices in New Zealand, and the whole business of duties, embargoes, and guarantees.