WHEAT PRICES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 26 June 1924, Page 9

WHEAT PRICES.

AUSTRAL! A N IMPORTATIONS. DISCUSSED BY COMMERCE CHAMBER. At the monthly meeting of the Son; h Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Jit J. Anstey brought up the question oi prices charged by the Government to millers for Australian wheat. He caul it was reported that the Government was charging the millers 2d per bushel more than the price which had been fixed by the Wheat Board for the local formers. There was also some doubt as to whether the Government was charging any duty on the Australian importations, Mr Anstey contending that, if this were not being done fho farmers in New Zealand were being very unfairly treated. Mr J. Meehan agreed with Mi Anstey. He said that the price paid to the fanners had been fixed by the Wheat Board, and the Government had not interfered in any way. Mr A. M. IT. Shirtcliff pointed out that the agreement-.had'been made a. year before the crop was available, and no one could forecast the drought that had been experienced. If the mattei had been followed out to a proper conclusion, the Government should have taken measures to protect iho fanners when it was found that there would he a shortage of wheat. The Government would have earned a groat deal of kudos if it had taken steps to protect the farmers before Australian wheat was imported.

It was decided on the motion of Mr Anstey, that the Government should bo asked to give definitely the price being charged to millers for Australian wheat, and to state definitely whether that price included any. duty.