WHEAT SALES ABROAD

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 16

WHEAT SALES ABROAD

EXPORT PRICE OF 2s F. 0.8.

POLICY OF THE WHEAT BOARD.

The question was asked of Mr. C. A. Wilkinson at a meeting of Eltham farmers on Tuesday night how it was that the Labour Party had diverse views on the wheat duties.

In reply Mr. Wilkinson said that some of the Labour members represented wheat-growing electorates and it was only natural that they should follow the dictates of the electors. But as soon as Labour became the Government it would have to hold together. He predicted that Labour’s policy would then be one of high protection. Mr. Wilkinson proceeded to deal with the export of wheat from New Zealand. First class wheat, he said, had been sold for export at 2s lOd a bushel, which amount included bags and exchange. Without these the price would be in the vicinity of 2s f.o.b. The policy of the Wheat Board had been to keep the price of wheat as high as possible and as soon as there was a chance of a lower price the surplus was exported. There was a protection equal to 6s 8d against wheat coming into the country, but when there was a shortage the system broke down and the Wheat Board wanted wheat brought in free of duty. If the duty were paid it would so raise the price of bread that there would be a public outcry. Mr. Wilkinson explained that out of the higher price for local sales the Wheat Board was able to recoup the losses on export and so pay an average price to growers.