Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 172, 10 April 1918, Page 4

MOLLIA TEMPORA PANDI (Times Favourable for Speaking). STILL CHAMPION FOR THE CAUSE, TILL CHAMPION FOR THE CAUSE, NEW ZEALAND WHEAT. ITS VALUE TO THE DOMINION. (Reprint from tho "Auckland Star," August 10th, 1017.)

MR. MASSBY, in replying (o a question put to him in Parliament by the Hon. D. Buddo, member for Kaiapoi, on Wednesday, stated (hat the complaints made by Southern miller?, regarding the effect of tho_ heavy importation of Australian flour into New Zealand, would receive tho early consideration of tho Cabinet. The matter is undoubtedly important, because it raises tho ivholo subject of wheat-growing in New Zealand. The suggestion has been made- that Now Zealand could bo moro profitably supplied with breadstuffs from Australia than from local eources. But experience- during the past three years certainly does not bear out that conclusion, becauso in 1915, a year of drought in Australia, that country imported 6ome millions of bushels of wheat, ami was, therefore, not in a position to supply New Zealand. Flour in Australia reached the high rate of .£l7 and ..£lB por ton.. Assuming, however, that this Dominion could depend upon Australia for its supply of wheat and flour, wonld it be wise to reduce New ■ Zealand to the position of a pastoral country? If we .take the policy of tho Labour "Government of tho Commonwealth itself as a guide, the answer is certainly in the negative, because the Federal tariff imposes a protectivo duty of .£2 10s. a ton on all imported flour, and Iβ. (i<l. por cental on wheat, whereas tho New Zealand Customs duties aro only .£1 a ton on flour and 9d. per cental on wheat. Canada, one of tho great graingrowing countries of tho world, also considers it sound policy to guarantee farmers Bs. a-.bushel to grow wheat for tho English market.

Now, let us consider what tho discontinuance of wheat-growing in New Zealand and our depondenco on Australia would really mean. Tho Dorainion'e wheat requirements amount to 6,500,000 bushels per annum. Tho Hon. Mr. MaoDonald's recent purchaso of wheat for New Zealand from Australian stocks, .vhich are so enormous that vast quantities aro being eaten by mice, was ss. 6d. n bushnl, f.o.'b. ■Without reckoning shipping charges, therefore, the value of this wheat, if produced in Now Zealand, would bo .£1,787,500, and that Bum, plus freight across, would represent our annual payment to Australia for supplying this fertilo agricultural country with its daily bread!

But this by no moans represents tho total industrial loss to New Zealand. Half the value of tho wheat (.£893,750), it may be safely assumed, goes in the labour of production and thrashing. Under normal conditions grain contributes about three-fifths of the Cantorbury railway revenue. If wheat-growing were killed it would increnso other railage rales to make good tho deficiency. New Zealand cqnl is used for thrashing and manufacturing wheat into (lour, and various other local industries are benefited by the wheat-growing industry.

The introduction of Australian flour also affects very seriously tho pastoral industry, which advocates of freo importation suggest would bo more pro6table than agriculture. Bran ond pollnrd are always required for tho dairy, bacon and poultry industries. A largo qna,ntity of bran is also -.lsod for hqrso-feod. it present the demand is much' greater than the supply "because the heavy importations of Australian flour prevent the Dominion mills from running to keep up the supply, through tho damping of the Australian surplus into New Zealand markets at a rats of duty which is 30s. a ton below the CoinmoWealth tariff. At the present time fanners aro being asked £1 10s. n, ton net for bran, a price approaching the rate at which flour hns been sold at in New Zealand in plentiful seasons. The Board of Trade considered ithat with flour in Auckland at J515 12s. a. ton, tho price for bran should not exceed £.1 ]2s. 6d. $B)it even at £7 10s. or at any higher ]'ato that might be offered, tho winter requirements of stock could not be supplied. AYhat would tho position be ■if wheatgrowing and flourmilling in New Zealand were abandoned?

The fact is that wheat-growing in one of the most valuable industries in New Zealand, and it; is to tho public interest that farmere shall bo encouraged to go in more for mixed farming, and that suitable lands in the North Island shall be placed under grain crops. With regard to the quality of New Zealand wheat, it hue commanded the highest prices in the London markets, in competition with grain grown in tho principal wheat-growing countries of tho ■ world. The suggestion that New Zealand shall lapse into a purely pastoral country and shall become dependent upon Australia for itfl daily brend is eo utterly retrogressive that we can hardly conceive of any responsible pereon putting, it forward soriously. NORTHERN ROLLER MILLING CO., LTD., P. VIRTUE. Manager. April 6th, 1918. P.S.—The price of flour in sacks at Wellington is .£l7, less i\ per cent, discount. The Auckland prico is .816 10s., less 1\ per cent, discount.

REGINALD COLLINS (LIMITED), ■yyiNE GROWERS AND IMPORTERS. Exclusive N.Z. Agents. AULDANA VINEYARDS (South Australia). Proprietors TE MATA VINEYARDS (Stake's Bay). Head Office: National Mutual Buildings, Customhouse Quay, Wellington. riTHE GUARDIAN TRUST AND EXECUTORS COMPANY OF U.Z., LIMITED ACTS AS EXECUTOR AND TRUSTEE UNDER WILLS, either Solely or as CO-EXI3OU-TOR AND TRUSTEE. " TRUSTEE UNDER WILLS in placo of Trustees wiehing to retire. TRUSTEE under Marriage and other SctUcmente. ATTORNEY lor Persona leaving tho Dominion. Confidential discussion, cither by personal interview or by correspondence on any of the above miitterd, is invited without obligation or charge. ABSOLUTE SECURITY Is Furnished by THE GUARDIAN TRUST, I Whioh has, in addition to its own resources, the Financial Guarantee of THE SOUTH BRITISH INSURANCE COMPANY, LIMITED, Whoße Assets exceed £1,300,000. Call or writn for a Copy of the Company's Instructive I'amnlilot Hood Office: QUEEN RTRKET, AUCKLAND. Wellington Ollice: 526 LAMBTON QUAY. T. P. B. CHING, Local Manager.