LOWER WHEAT DUTIES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 13 May 1931, Page 6

LOWER WHEAT DUTIES

SCHEME DEEMED ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ PROTEST FROM CANTERBURY DIFFICULTY OF GROWERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CIdTSTCHURCH, May 12. The opinions of representatives of the whcatgrowers in Canterbury is that the new wheat and flour duties win reduce the price of wheat to the grower to at most 4s a bushel for Tuscan, which comprises most of the wheat grown in Canterbury. They declare that the farmers cannot produce wheat at that price, except at a loss. Dr David Jones, M.P., in a statement to-day said the Government's proposals were impossible and constituted a distinct breach of faith with the farmers. The Prime Minister, he said, had indicated very clearly to Parliamentary representatives that the reduction -would not be more than a shilling a bushel. They had made a strong case for a reduction not exceeding nmepenee, which would have given the farmer 4s 7d to 4s fid a bushel. This Mr Forbes promised to consider. On the other occasions Mr Forbes had stated that the farmers must be given a fair price. On this basis largo areas had been prepared for wheat, and much was now sown. If the farmers had known two months ago of the proposed prices these areas would have been sown in’ grass. Now it was too late for this. Mr Jones said the House' and the Government had ample proof that the growers were unable to produce wheat at four shillings a bushel. There was no demand in the House or the country for the proposed price, and he questioned whether the House would be so unjust as to ratify it.