SHORT SUPPLIES

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 13

SHORT SUPPLIES

HIGH-PRICED FOWL WHEAT DUTIES UNDER CONSIDERATION [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, April 14. Tlxo question of reducing or suspending the duty on fowl wheat is receiving the careful consideration of the Government, according to a reply that the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) gave to an urgent question by Mr W. .1. Poison (Coalition Independent), in the House of llepresentatives. Mr Poison declared that in spite of the reduction in the duties on wheat the price of fowl wheat remained unaltered, and lie asked the Government, in the interests of poultry farmers either to reduce the duty to the North Island or to license the importation of free fowl wheat to bona fide poultry farmers through their organisations. If that were not possible the member suggested that an indication should he given as to what relief was proposed to he accorded to enable poultry farmers to obtain advantage of the reduced price intended by the Government when it lowered the duty last year. Mr Forbes replied that inquiries were being made respecting the question raised. The Government had been advised that during April last year good fowl wheat was quoted f.0.b., South Island, for prompt delivery, at between 4s lid and 5s 3d per bushel. The price f.0.b., South Island, of fowl wheat during the present month had varied from 4s 8d to 4s 9ld per bushel for prompt delivery. It was understood that the quantity of fowl wheat available this year was limited. The question of reducing or suspending the duty on that article was under the consideration of the Government.