DUTY ON WHEAT.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17407, 21 May 1928, Page 11

DUTY ON WHEAT.

OPPOSED BY BUSINESS MEN

ARE PROTECTIONISTS LOGICAL? (By Telegraph—Press Association).

AUCKLAND. Saturday

The effect of the new duties on wheat and flour is again discussed in a letter which the Auckland Chamber of Commerce has forwarded to the Minister of Customs, Hon. W. Downic Stewart.

"It is our contention that the imposition of a new duty on wheat at. the present, time is against the best, interests of the country, taking the broadest possible view," the letter states. » "We have first to consider the fact that nearly all our primary industries and our secondary industries suffer to a large extent from the high cost of production, and the time has come when a hall must be made in the increase of duties likely to make such costs higher."

The attitude of the chamber regarding protection is defined as favourable to a measure of fair and economic protection for young and growing industries which might be economically pursued in the Dominion. An industry which, after a reasonable time, finds more protection necessary, does not answer such a description, the letter continues.

The chamber claims that it is logical to be opposed to the granting of any new protection and yet view with misgiving the removal of any protection which has been sufficiently long-stand-ing for established interests to have grown up around it.