AUSTRALIAN WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 99, 29 April 1927, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT AND FLOUR.

In demands for increased duties on Australian wheat and flour, it is evident'that one section of ■ producers: in New Zealand is at loggerheads with another section, remarks the "Australasian." Recently a protest was sent to the Prime Minister of the Dominion by the Auckland Grain and Produce Merchants' Association regarding importations of wheat and flour, and this came up for discussion at a • meeting of directors of the Canterbury Farmers' Association on 24th March, when surprise was expressed' at the statement that there was a. movement in the South Island to have importations of flour and wheat prohibited.' It was said that a duty of 33 1-3 per cent, on flour was wanted,'and that wheatgrowers considered that they were entitled to ask for a higher duty on the manufactured article than on the raw material. In the South Island farmers regarded action taken by Auckland interests as propaganda against the endeavours of South Island farmers to obviate their loss on wheat. The Chamber of Commerce there had considered that matter when a strong complaint was made concerning the action of the Ministry in allowing dutyfree wheat to be imported into the Dominion six weeks after the home crop was

available. That body, considered that tlM ■--'■-' importation of wheat duty free was con-" ~ trary to law, which provided f or » **rT o£ 1b 3d a-busheL . .... ;' ■ •' ■