SICK WHEAT INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 111, 13 May 1931, Page 7

SICK WHEAT INDUSTRY

THE REDUCED PROTECTION COMPLAINTS FROM CANTERBURY (Special to "Chronicle”) CHRISTCHURCH, May 12. The opinions of representatives of the wheutgrewers in Canterbury is that the new wheat and flour duties will reduce the price of wheat, to the grower ito at must 4s a bushel for Tuscan, which comprises most of the wheat grown in Canterbury. They declare that farmers cannot produce wheat at this price except at Air David Jones, M.P., in a state ment, said that the Government's pro posals were impossible and constituted a distinct breach of faith with tin farmers. The Prime Minister, he said had indicated very clearly tu the Par liamentary repiesri'bitives that the re duction wmid not. he more than Is a bushel. They had made a strong case for a reduction not exceeding 9d, which would have given tho farmer 4s 7d to 4s 9d a bushel. This Air Forbes pro miscd to consider. On other occasions Mr Forbes had stated that the farmers must bo given a fair price. On this basis large areas had been prepared for wheat, much of which had been sown. If the farmers had known two months ago of the propuned prices these areas would have been sown in grass. Now it was. too late for this. Air Jones said that the House and Government had ample proof that the growers were unable to produce wheat at 4s a bushel. There was no demand in the House or the country for the proposed price, and he questioned whether the House would be so unjust as to ratify it.