WHEAT DUTIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 September 1929, Page 5

WHEAT DUTIES.

FURTHER, EVIDENCE! BEFORE COMM ISSION.

(By Telegraph—press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sept, 4. Further evidence was heard to-day by the special committee of the House of Representatives which is considering the- wheat duties. Explaining bis decision not to grow wheat-, Mr Biuldenkrau, a, Waimato farmer, said he had anticipated that his risk, of loss- on sheep was Jess than the risk on wheat, lie did npt know early enough that the sliding duties were to be retained, and it was no good growing wheat unless it was possible to make a- job of it. In his opinion flie wheatgrowing country of Canto llb ury, if devoted to sheep, would carry about 11 ewes to the acre, it would be disastrous to Canterbury if wheat were not grown, as it would mean depreciation of land values. Mr G. S. Bates, president of the New Zealand poultry Association, said the poultry industry provided employment for many thousands of people, hub today they found themselves up against jrreat difficulty on account of the wheat duties. Owing; to the price- of wheat it was impossible to make- both ends meet. Mr P. Jennings also gave evidence on behalf of the poultry men, and Dr. E. T\. Neale, on behalf of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The latter intimated that the chamber opposed any stabilisation in the price of wheat and flo-ur on economic grounds.