THE WHEAT DUTIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18610, 4 July 1930, Page 12

THE WHEAT DUTIES.

NORTH ISLAND OPPOSITION. Replying to Mr Wilkinson (Egmont) in the House of Representatives the Hon. G. W. Forbes said that as it was understood that the main crop for the 1931 harvest would be sown by now it was not considered that any alteration should be made in the present duties until after the end of next year. “There is a very strong demand throughout^the country,” declared Mr Wilkinson, “for the alleviation of the present duties on wheat and flour.” He added that the price of flour was up to £lB/10/- per ton in Auckland, and that better flour could be obtained more cheaply from Australia. Mr Burnett (Temuka): You have to thank your freights for that. Mr Wilkinson: “Freights are 35/- a ton and that would not account for the difference. The real reason is the high tariff imposed by the Reform Party, of which the hon. gentleman is a member.” Mr Wilkinson said he felt quite sure the country would not endorse the imposition of duties. When the United Party appeared before the electors one promise they made concerned Customs-free foodstuffs from abroad, and yet to-day there was a tremendous tax on the most important item of foodstuffs. Mr Kyle (Riccarton):—You helped to put them there. Mr Wilkinson: “That is no reason why I should not complain when they don’t carry out their policy. “Will the hon. member look at the division lists?” asked Mr Fraser (Wellington Central). Mr Wilkinson said he knew very well what they had done since he came into the House. There might be an opportunity before this session ended to test the matter out in the House and then people would see who stood for cheap food and who stood against it. Mr Martin (Raglan): It does not all belong to the Independents anyway. Mr Wilkinson said the position that existed to-day showed that no consideration had been given to the question. The Minister had stated that next year’s crop was already in the ground. By the time that was harvested another crop would be going in, and the same excuse would be repeated. Mr M’Donald (Wairarapa): Vote for reduction.

Mr Wilkinson said he would raise the subject on another occasion. Mr Lye (Waikato) reminded the House that when the Wheat Committee presented its report he with others did everything possible to see that the question of duties was revived and further considered. The pork industry was being stifled by the duty system, while wheat growers were being assisted every year. If wheat were admitted free there would be cheaper bread for the people and the frozen pork industry would be increased perhaps tenfold. The whole of the community was being called upon to provide a subsidy for the benefit of a handful of wheat growers in the South Island, because of the inefficiency of their methods. A Reform voice: Six thousand of them.

Mr Lye expressed doubt as to whether the duties actually operated in favour of wheat growers, and added that the whole question needed to be looked into comprehensively.