THE STAFF OF LIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1927, Page 12

THE STAFF OF LIFE.

The wheat and flour interests of Can-, terbury have organised another attack on the pockets of the breadwinner. Their object is to increase the duty on flpur to £4 a ton, presumably in addition to the dumping duty already brought into force by Order-in-Council. Bread in New Zealand already costs about half as much again as in Australia Reduced to cold figures, this means that almost a million and three-quarters sterling is annually paid by us in excess of the prices that prevail, but 1200 miles away, where wages and labour conditions are certainly not to the disadvantage of the worker. Our Government, by its policy, frankly -proclaims that the wheatgrower is entitled to more favourable treatment than other primary producers. If such a policy can be justified surely it is reasonable to expect that this bonus of roughly 4s fid a bushel in excess of the price received by his Australian brother farmer should reach him. It is no wonder that the public that pays is demanding to know before parting with the extra quarter million sterling annually, to which the Prime Minister has practically committed it, that it ‘ first be proved that the wheatgrowers are entitled to this gift, and, further, will not be annexed in transit to them; Whether justified or not, an uneasy feeling prevails that in New Zealand there exists a flourmillers’ monopoly which eliminates competition both in buying whea t and selling flour. If this is so, obviously any increase in duties on flour is only playing into the hands of the combination, whose operations are inimical to the best interests of the country. Surely the people, and particularly the workers with large families to feed, have a right to expect from the Government common justice in a matter of such vital importance to them. Bread should Ire as cheap as possible, but because of the incessant activities of the Canterbury wheatgrowers and millers, the Government has given them such protection as makes the “staff of life” in the Dominion 50 per cent, dearer than It is across the Tasman.