“NOT ESSENTIAL.”

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 28 December 1926, Page 6

“NOT ESSENTIAL.”

WHEAT GROWING INDUSTRY. MR HAWKEN CRITICISED. (Per Press Association—Copyright). ASHBURTON, December 24. The reply given by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken) to a deputation of wheat-growers that waited on him, and asked for an embargo on imported flour, or, in the alternative, an increase of 25s a ton in duty, was discussed by the Mid-Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union. The president (Mr J. Carr) said the deputation had got two very definite statements from the Minister. Asked if he considered wheat-grow-ing an essential industry, the reply had been “No.” Mr Hawken, however, had also said that Cabinet and the Government thought it very desirable (hat the country should grow sufficient wheat for its own needs. Wheat-growers, said the Min ister, were not, to get away with the idea they were essential, as wheat could be imported. The deputation had pointed out to the Minister that while the cost of production Was not decreasing, there was a tendency for world's parity to decrease. The president said" it seemed strange that they should have a Gov eminent supposed to protect farmers’ interests, yet in this matter, when they were asked to prove that dumping of flour was going on, they were told the Customs figures were confidential, ad could not be obtained. “How are we goings to prove it?” he asked. I Mr G. W. Leadley said the deputa tion were not asking for a price that would be exploitation of the public. All the wheat-growers wanted was a fair price. Mr Hawken had said that if a dutaping duty did go on, wheat would be worth 6/4 a bushel at ports. Mr W. T. Lili said it seemed to I him the Government did not care a t “rap.” It was resolved: “That the Gov- I ernment be advised that it is the j opinion of the Executive that the ■ onus of proving that dumping is going on is on the Government, and not on farmers, as the Government, with its various departments, is in the position of getting information more readily and more accurately than any farming organisation can do.” '