"DUMPING" OF WHEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 10

"DUMPING" OF WHEAT.

AUSTRALIAN SUPPLIES.

CONCERN OF GROWERS.

HIGHER DUTY SUGGESTED.

[PY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

ASHBURTON, Friday.

The effect of the "dumping'' of wheat from Australia in New Zealand was discussed at a meeting of the mid-Canter-bury provincial executive of the Farmers' Union to-day.

Mr. G. W. Leadley, chairman of the Wheat Board, said the board would cease to function in February, after which it would have no power to fix prices. The Minister for Agriculture had given his word publicly that the embargo on Australian wheat would not bo maintained after February. The Minister could not go back on his promise, consequently it would be little use asking for a continuance of the embargo. What farmers should ask for was that the duty bo raised to £3, and if this did not keep Australia out, to request that a dumping duty bo imposed. Ho quoted figures showing that Australia would in the coming season have a tremendous exportable surplus, which, if no duty were imposed on importation to New Zealand, would secure the North Island demand. The South Island, where most of the wheat was grown in this country, would los-o the North Island market, and consequently a surplns in the South would bring the price down. He had heard of cases where North Canterbury farmers had already raado sales at 8s 8d a bushel, which was lower than expected at the opening of the season. The chairman of the executive, Mr. John Brown, said New Zealand was placed at a great disadvantage by Australian flour, which was flooding the market. Australia could defeat this country every time with a dumping policy. This unfair competition should be stopped. It was resolved to appoint a deputation to wait upon the Minister for Agriculture and discuss tho questions of price and Australian dumping.