AUSTRALIA AND WHEAT.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18808, 2 December 1932, Page 6

AUSTRALIA AND WHEAT.

In proposing to give the Y he . bonus only to those In need of it me Australian Federal Government is keeping to a line of policy i has laid down in other payments. It limned the maternity bonus and it has decided that relatives of pensioners who can help them must do so. this makes a departure from the handing out of money to all who had the right to claim it regardless of whether they were actually in need of it. Complaints are already being made Hat discrimination in the payment of the wheat bonus will make many wheatgrowers appear as mendicants. That is not a strong objection. The depression has placed so many persons in all occupations in financial difficulty that there is no stigma in being among the unfortunate. No one thinks any less of the settlers who are being kept on their farms by the Government. The plea that all wheatgrowers in Australia are growing wheat, at a loss and should be assisted is not convincing. If there are growers who have reserves behind them they should be willing to depend on these for a while. Scores of persons in trades and industry have been forced to do it, and primary producers who happen to have means should not expeot the Government to recoup them for the losses they might make in their business.