WHEAT INDUSTRY

Mt Benger Mail, 13 October 1937, Page 1

WHEAT INDUSTRY

ENCOURAGING THE GROWER £150,000 ON THE ESTIMATES NO INCREASE IN BREAD PRICES Wellington, Oct. 0. Explaining the grant of £150,000 described in the Estimates as provision to encourage the development of the wheat industry, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan) to-day said that this money represented the differnce between the original price of 4s 9d a bushel paid to the grower and the subsequent increased price of 5s 3d. An increase in the production of wheat was necessary, and to encourage growers to expand their crops of last season, the Government had decided to offer them the higher price. The price was also intended to meet the increased wages and changes in the working conditions. While an increase had been made in the price of wheat, the Government had not passed on the increase to the consumer of bread. This increase had been carried by the Government, which in expending £150,000 had saved the public £3oo,ooo—a sum that would have been necessary had the increase been passed on to the public.