WHEAT DUMPING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18898, 13 January 1927, Page 10

WHEAT DUMPING.

DISSATISFACTION" EXPRESSED. IMPOSITIOX OF DUTY \V.\NTED. Dissatisfaction was expressed at yesterday's meeting of the executive of the Korth Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union that the duty to prevent the dumping of flour into the Dominion had not been put irto opera tion. -Reportjuon beliair of llio Agricultural Committee, -Mr W. \V. Mulholland Baid that the matter of the permits issued by the Governmrnt for the importation of poultry wheat free of duty had been considered. A telegram had been sent to the Minister protesting against the importation of such wheat. A reply had .since been received from him to the effect that the ollii-ers of the Agricultural Department were keeping a close watch upon each imported parcel of wheat, a permit in respect of which had in every case to be obtained. Every effort had to be made to ensure that there \vould be no shortage of fowl wheat until sueh time as local supplies came to hand. In reply io a further telegram, the Minister stated that figures would be supplied to the ITnion. When these came to hand the Union could decide whether there was n danger of the local wheat-growing industry being adversely affected, and, if no, steps could be taken to deal with tho matter. In committee, Mr A. M. Carpenter gave a report of the recant conference held at Ashburton between growers and tho Minister for Agriculture. A Peculiar Position. The chairman (Mr J. D. Hall) stated that it appeared at present as if the wheat market would open at prices lower than those obtaining in Australia. The position was a peculiar one. Mr Jones and the Minister.

Mr D. .Tones, M.P., Haiti that lie had just written to the Minister for Customs concerning his (Mr Downio Stewart's) letter which had recently been published, and in respect of which he (Mr Jones) was dissatisfied. It had been stated that imported flour was being gold in the Dominion at 2us per ton below the current domestic price, but the Minister should also have supplied particulars as to quantities. Thcro was clear evidence that dumping was going on. The discussion that had so far taken place was important in.that it put a different complexion 'on the attitude taken up by the Minister as it was generally understood. That attitude was that the Minister was desirous of wheat being grown in the Dominion and the money paid for it kept in New Zealand. With regard to the duty to prevent dumping, the Union should strongly urge it as he believed that success could be achieved along these lines. The quantities imported to-day wero not large, but they were still sufficient-to affect the whole of next year's harvest. That was a point which the Minister had failed to grasp. Unless steps were taken at once to deal with the contingency, needy farmers must accept a price for wheat below its value. He did not agree with the Minister for Agriculture when ho mado the statement that it was the duty of farmers to produce figures to prove that dumping waß taking place. Such information was in the hands of the Government, and ho considered that it should be acted on. All that was wanted was that the power given to the Minister for Customs to prevent dumping should bo i exercised. "Dumping Going On." Mr Mulliolland said he agrocd with Mr Jones's , remarks. Nevertheless, while not. accepting tho invitation to produce evidence, that would be regarded as legal proof of dumping, it was intended to bring forward such evidence'as would show the public that there was dumping going on, and tr. let them have information which they did not possess at present, although,' seeing tho Government itself had all the information necessary in tho matter, their efforts might bo regarded as a ■waste of time. It was in tho interests of New Zealand that dumping should be prevented; Tho cost in which the people of the North Island were involved in importing flour and bran should be sufficient to prove that it was in the interest of the Dprninion to take up tho matter. Mr Mulholland moved ; that the executive strongly urge the imposition of the dumping duty,, as it appeared that there was a clear case to meet, for which the duty was specially designed. The executive believed that the various difficulties which appeared to be in the way of the imposition of such duty could lo removed by due enquiry. Tho motion was carried, it being agreed to add the words "That the executive express keen disappointment that the Minister had refused to consider the increaso of duty on imported fl °lt was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Minister for Customs, and to the conference of growers to bo hold at Ashburton to-morrow.

PRICE OF MILK.

KO RISE IN WELLINGTON. [THE PBBBB Special Borrice.] \ WELLINGTON, January 12. Following the nows of a rise,in the price of milk in Auckland, an enquiry was made to-day as to whether there was any prospect of Wellington following suit. _ Mr R. Herron, manager of the MUk Department, stated that there was no prospect of any rise in the price of milk in Wellington. On the contrary, milk"was coming to hand in full supply. As the season had been a very good one, he was at a loss to understand why a rise should be necessary in Auckland at this time of the year, as they had experienced a . copious rainfall there in December. Throughout the holiday season the difference in price between the two cities was Id per quart, lut whereas Wellington was supplying the public with pasteurised bottleu milt at 6d per quart, the greater proportion of Auckland's supply was from the dipcan at 7d per quart. MEAT EXPORT PRICES.

(rEESS ASSOCIATION' TP.LEGRAU.I <r, « WELMNOTOs-, JanuarT u »l, J f.ll *?' lro . du «™\ Board advises that Ist fitocJMor export'on January 10th at Weiltr Umi.Vtf' 4n * nd ovcr 7d: " eoad "«*'• tm%TZAI Til umlcr SS «- 37 t0 rw.: k 8 " nd " nder 35d - 5T '<> eiib 3d. •econd quality lambj 7Jd. d "