DUTIES ON WHEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21469, 18 April 1933, Page 10

DUTIES ON WHEAT

SUPPORT BY LABOUR POLICY OF THE PARTY Support for a policy of wheat duties was given by the Dominion Conferoncc of the Labour Party last evening. A committee appointed by the last annual conference to consider the wheat and flour industry reported that "guaranteed prices would provide the solution of tho wheat problem for the farmer, award rates of wages would protect the workers, and strict administration of the regulations which could be provided under the Board of Trade Act would be a substantial guaranteo against the exploitation of the consumer." The committee expressed the veiw that guaranteed prices must rest on a foundation of monetary reform. Unless purchasing power was increased as production increased, prices could not be maintained, and guarantees would bo undermined. The greater part of whatever exploitation took place in connection with the supply of wheat products occurred after the wheat left the farm and that was where control was chiefly valuable. The report concluded: "In view of the apparent monopoly of wheat and wheat products by milling and distributing agencies, which results in unduly high prices to the consumers, tho committee recommends: (1) That the Department of Industries and Commerce be authorised to exercise the powers conferred by the Board of Trade Act so as to ensure complete - control of production and importation of wheat and wheat products, and the control of prices from the farm and factory to the consumer; (2) that subject to the payment of award rates of wages in the wheat and milling industry, adequate tariff rates or adequate subsidies on wheat be supported until complete control of the industry and prices is arranged under the Board of Trade Act; ,(3) the establishment of State flour mills. The report was adopted.