WHEAT AND FLOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19668, 9 December 1933, Page 7

WHEAT AND FLOUR

IMPORTS FROM CANADA NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, December 8. In the House of Representatives today Mr H. S. S. Kyle (C., Riccarton) and the Rev. Clyde Carr (Lab., Timaru) stated that for the nine months ended September 30 flour and wheat to the extent of 707.462 bushels had been imported costing the country 6 9a bushel, while on the other hand New Zealand had exported about 1 000 000 bushels at 3/- a bushel, and asked whether the Government would consider means to prevent the furthei importation of Canadian wheat and flOUr. , . wr r, Mr Carr pointed out that New Zealand still had 1,000,000 bushels of surplus wheat carried over from last year and the indications were for more than an average yield for 1934. Mr Forbes said that there was no indication of any appreciable increase in the amount of importations into New Zealand. The importations were d, - to the fact that millers were desirous of a certain amount of imported wheat to mix with the local wheat. The mixture appealed more to consumers who, after all, w r ere those who determined the trade that was to be done. The Government was watching the position but did not propose to take any action in the meantime.

In July last, the Timaru A. and P. Association protested to the Government against the importation of Canadian wheat and flour, but no action was taken. This week a further letter was forwarded to the Prime Minister, Members of Cabinet and the Canterbury Members of Parliament, stating that the wheatgrowers of South Canterbury and the farmers in general viewed with grave concern the present extent of importation of Canadian wheat and flour. The Association had forwarded a protest to the ActingMinister of Industries and Commerce some time ago, but no action had been taken in the matter. Figures showed that for the nine months ended September 30, 1933, flour and wheat to the extent of 707.462 bushels of wheat have been imported. At this rate, if these importations continued for the next three months, it would mean that almost a million bushels of wheat would be imported, costing the country 6/9 a bushel, while on the other hand the country had exported a million bushels at 3/-. Yesterday afternoon the following telegram was received from the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P.: “In response to your letter, I am asking as urgent question whether Minister Industries and Commerce will place embargo on further importations Canadian wheat and flour and am quoting figures kindly supplied.”