WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 March 1927, Page 2

WHEAT AND FLOUR.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. THE AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION. (by TELEGRAPH—press association.) CHRIST CHURCH, March 30. “If you can find a disease in Australian wheat we will piace. an embargo on it at once,” said the Prime Minister to-day when replying to a deputation of wheatgroweivs who had asked for an embargo on Australian flour. One of the speakers had pointed to the fact that New Zealand potatoes had been excluded from Australia. Mr. Coates said if it .vas found that an enormous amount of Australian flour was likely to injure the wheatgrowers’ position in New Zealand they need have no fear as to what steps the Government would, take. “Y r ou had no wheat m February, said Mr. Coates (cries of “Yes! Yes! ’). Mr. Coates: It was not in time to meet the feeding of the people. Voices : You’re wrong. Mr. Coates said that since then tlm imports had fallen to a negligible quantity New Zealand wheatgrowers should have a fair chance, but the Government also had a duty to the consumers. . , , , Replying to questions asked by the deputation, Mr. Coates said it was the intention of the Government to give notice now of the Customs increase it was proposed to levy on Australian (four. Also, (he Government agreed to appoint a-personnel to obtain all available information regarding the wheat and flour industry.