AUSTRALIAN WHEAT DEAL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1932, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT DEAL

WAS THE PRICE TOO HIGH?

AUCKLAND CHAMBER’S CHARGES.

COMPLAINT FROM IMPORTERS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night. A charge that the Government has paid above the’ ruling market price for the wheat 'being imported from Australia is made in a statement issued off behalf of the importers’ section of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The shipment of 4000’ ions which will arrive at Auckland from Geelong tomorrow is the first of 859,000 Bushels to be brought to NeW Zealand by the Wheat Marketing Agency Company Limited, commonly khowrt as the Wheat Marketing Board.

“If the Government is determined to give a monopoly which operates against the general body of merchants interested in the importation of this.class of goods, surely its elementary duty is to see that the very best price is obtained in favour of this Country,” tile chamber states. “In the case of- the wheat being imported at present we are advised that the price paid in Victoria and South Australia averages 3s 3Jd a bushel f.0.b., and We are further advised that wheat from the same districts and of equal quality could be purchased at the time the orders were plated at 3s a bushel f.o.b. “It is understood that a similar position obtained at Berth, where purchases are said to have been made at 3s Id, Whereas wheat of the same quality could have been bought at the same time At 2s lOd to 2s lid. If the difference all round is estimated at 3d, surely £lO,OOO is too dear a price for a monopoly.” Mr. Gairior Jackson, chairman of the Importers’ section, said it was understood that the Government purchases had been made through One agent in Sydney. This had been done on the last occasion the Government went on the Australian market, and it was estimated that several thousands, of pounds more than was necessary was paid. “If the Government announces its intention of becoming a large buyer it stands to reason that the price Will not fall,” said Mr. Jackson. Although the figures were not available it Was believed that heavy Ibts had been bought by the Govefffmcfft in South Australia arid Victoria. The lower price paid at Berth was offset by freight charges from that port. The buying had probably been spread over the four chief Australian distributing centres.

Mr. Jackson said there was no doubt that the Government had granted a monopoly in tile importation of wheat. It Was impossible for other firms to obtain a permit for importing, evbn for milling purposes. There could be rio defence by the Government on grounds that special hard Wheat whs being purchased. ’

Mr. Jackson said the Melbourne Chamber of Comffietce had advised the Auckland Chamber that “flour manufactured in Victoria, both for export and local trade, is made from fair average quality wheat and there is practically ho hard wheat grown in the State.”