WHEAT AND FLOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1929, Page 6

WHEAT AND FLOUR

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —The Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce it', reported as having made a statement recently before a conference of bakers to the effect that it was a shame for this country to import Hour and wheat from other countries and at the same time send out of the country something like a quarter of a million of money in the doing so. For my part I can see a much greater shame ill fleecing (this is a mild word) every bread winner and consumer of bread in this country of not less than ££ per ton on every ton of flour consumed, the sum stated being an under-estimate of the difference between overseas flour landed in Wellington and South Island.

I have not the actual figures giving the quantities of flour manufactured^ or consumed in New Zealand, but it will be an easy matter to multiply same by four, which will give the approximate amount New Zealanders are called upon to pay for the protection and privileges of having wheat grown within our own borders. Besides having to pay a very fcuge sum for nursing the wheat farmers in Canterbury, I venture to say that the quality of the flour produced in New Zealand is considerably below the standard 6f other countries. To verify this inquire from anyone who has been in, say, Canada, U.S.A., or Australia, as to the relative quality, including flavour' and appearance, of the bread produced in the various places in comparison with any local product, and the answer will be most decidedly in favour of the first three places named. Which is the greater shame: To import a few hundred tons of good quality flour into New Zealand for mixing in an effort to improve the loaf or to make the public pay many thousands of pounds extra for an inferior article? I am afraid the wheat growers and millers owe a lot to the New Zealand public, and not, as the Secretary of Industries and Commerce endeavours to make out, that the people connected-with wheat are being badly treated. Does the Secretary of Industry and Commerce consider the poultry farmer is being fairly treated? I consider it is a most iniquitous proposition to expect these people—especially as the majority are absolutely up against it-^to pay 7s for an inferior- grade of wheat when they could land the very best quality from overseas at 5s 7d, ex wharf, Wellington, excluding duty. It would possibly be a "shame" in the minds of £ome people to bring a few thousand bushels of wheat from overseas, but quite the correct thing to make the hard-working poultry man (with eggs at Is 4d per dozen wholesale) to make a present to another section of the community of 17d on every bushel of wheat used. —I am, etc., PAIR TRADER BUT NOT A FREE TRADER. 31st January.