WHEAT AND FLOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19904, 14 September 1934, Page 7

WHEAT AND FLOUR

THE SLIDING SCALE OF DUTIES ATTACK AND DEFENCE By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, September 13. In the House this evening the Committee stage of the Customs Act Amendment Bill was commenced. Mr M. J. Savage (Leader of the Opposition) referred to the wheat duties and said he thought that the constitution of the Wheat Board should be altered and the grower given greater representation. He would like to see the Minister take control of the administration or see that consumers interests were watched. Mr H. G. S. Kyle (C., Riccarton) said that had it not been for the Wheat Board the industry would have been in a chaotic condition. The board enabled the growers to secure a price they would not have obtained otherwise. Mr R. McKeen (Lab.. Wellington South) said that flour mills were overcapitalised. The price of bread was kept too high. Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Ind., Egmont) attacked the sliding scale of wheat and flour duties. He said that there were too many flour mills and the unnecessary ones should be closed. Mr H. T. Armstrong (Lab., Christchurch East) supported the sliding scale of wheat duties. Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt) said that the sliding scale was wrong in Its incidence. Some steps should be taken to see that bread was sold at the minimum price, but they must see that the grower received a reasonable price for his work.

Mr H. G. Dickie (C., Patea) contended that there was too large a difference between the price growers received for wheat and the price of bread.

Mr W. A. Veitch (Ind., Wanganui) supported the abolition of the sliding scale. He said that his constituents were paying more for bread than bread was worth.

Mr J. A. Macpherson (C„ Oamaru) defended the sliding scale. ,He said that bran and pollard were more important than flour. The dairy and pig idustries were dependent on bran and pollard, and that showed the importance of the wheat industry to New Zealand. Safeguarding of Industry. Mr D. G. Sullivan said that he was not particular in what way protection was given the grower so long as the industry was safeguarded. Mr A. Stuart (C., Rangitikei) said there was no more important industry than wheatgrowing. He thought that the wheat duty was a reasonable one. The Rev. Clyde Carr (Lab., Timaru) said that every country protected its wheat industry. A flat rate of duty would not give stability or protect the farmer. Mr P. C. Webb (Lab., Buller) said he regretted that a duty had not been placed on crude oil and oil burning machinery, and that nothing had been done to assist the coalmining industry. He considered, too, that a tax should be placed on imported coal. Mr J. Connolly (Ind. C.. Mid-Can-terbury) defended the sliding scale of wheat duties and said it was unnecessary to import Australian or Canadian wheat and flour if New Zealand wheat was properly matured. Mr R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East) said he hoped that the duty would be taken off white lead, which would benefit the community. Much work would be put in hand if the price of paint was reduced. Mr R. W. Hawke (Kaiapoi) supported the sliding scale of wheat and flour duties. He contended that bakers were making good profits at present prices unless they had heavy bad debts to offset the profit. The short title was passed. Progress was reported and the House rose at 11.30 p.m.