THE WHEAT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21274, 30 August 1932, Page 10

THE WHEAT INDUSTRY

QUESTION OF ASSISTANCE AUCKLAND FARMERS' VIEWS [from our own correspondent] MORRINSVILLE. Monday Wheat duties were discussed at a meeting of the Southern Thames sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union, representing branches in the Morrinsville and To Aroh;y districts. Several members said that Auckland farmers preferred that the Government should, if necessary, give wheatgrowers in the South Island a direct subsidy in order to make wheatgrowing payable, instead of the present protection afforded by the sliding scale of duties. A straightout subsidy would enable the public to know how much they were paying for tho protection of the wheatgrowers, but with the present system of protection through tho customs it was impossible to know this. The system of customs duties was, they considered, much more costly to the public than would be a straight-out subsidy, paid direct to the growers. Mr. R. A. S. Browne, speaking from experiences in the South, claimed that the sliding scale duties had the effect of making wheatgrowers disinclined to improve the yield per aero by up-to-date farming methods. - Mr. A. E. Robinson (provincial secretary) said that South Island members of the Farmers' Union ought know by now that the. Auckland Farmers' Union was opposed to the duties, but would agree to a subsidy. Finally, the meeting decided to write to the Canterbury and Southland executives of tho Farmers' Union and endeavour to allay misconceptions that appeared to bo current in tho South.

EFFORTS TO ABOLISH DUTIES BAY OF PLENTY RESOLUTION [from our own correspondent] TAURANGA, Monday A remit from the Te Puko branch was adopted at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union held at Tauranga on Saturday urging the executive of the union to use its utmost endeavour and to combine with those institutions already working 'with the object in view, to secure the abolition of the wheat and flour duties, thus reducing the cost of living, and further assisting the farmers in the mat' lor of stock foods.