DUTIES ON WHEAT

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1931, Page 10

DUTIES ON WHEAT

STRONG PROTEST VOICED. -

FAVOURING A SMALL SECTION.

Strong opposition to the sliding scale of tyheat duties was-voiced at a meeting. of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce when it was decided to urge the abolition of the sliding scale. . \ \ Mr. A. G. Lunn said that- owing, to the present state of affaire bread cost almost twice as much in New'Zealan4 as it did in England. He asked, how, in view of the Government’s recognition of the need of an all-round reduction in wages, the Government could sanction the° continued heavy taxation of the main foodstuff of the people. Bread, was a main necessity, even of the poorest, and should be the last item to be taxed. The country could not afford the luxury of a tax to benefit the few at the expense of the many. This burden was borne by all and was one of the factors that helped to maintain the high cost of production of exportable primary products. The imposition of the wheat duties had also raised the price of wheat lands to an. uneconomic level. The council carried a resolution to the effect that while the Prime Minister might be congratulated upon suggesting a reduction in the existing hjgh duties on wheat, the chamber strongly urged in the public interest as follows: That the sliding scale of duties he abolished on the ground that it entirely frees a small class of. primary producers from the normal fluctuation of world prices and places them in an exceptionally favourable position compared with other primary producers and this at tae expense- of the whole community at a time when it is essential that the cost of living be reduced. . — . ■ ; That a. per cental duty at no time exceed inn- the equivalent of 33 1-3 per cent, f.p.b- cost in the case of Empire wheat be imposed for a limited period until, with-the country’s natural advantages, wheat can be produced at the average of the cdst in the British Do-< minions. . ; . , That protection should be afforded only, during a portion of the year following each harvest, proportionate to the ratio of the interual supply of wheat to the normal aniril.