WHEAT AND FLOUR DUTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1932, Page 6

WHEAT AND FLOUR DUTIES

(To the Editor.)

\Sir,-vlu a final dispassionate reply to "Clyde," of Christchurch, the writer adheres to the conviction; (based on concrete facts) that not only is every breadwinner in this Dominion being: penalised by the high "cost of wheat and. flour, but also the expansion1 of pig and poultry industries is being hindered as the direct result of unreasonable:protection- being extended to wkeatgrowers. ;To: those ,witt a mental palate for T humour, ; the/ demonstrative protest by, wheatgrowers in Canterbury, as reported; in :the-"Evening Post" of even date, exemplifies the extent to which a narrow provincial outlook can be fostered in an.attempt to refute a national economic truth. \>\ I

With all "due; respect to the wheatgrowers, the writer.suggests their imagination is responsible for at least threefourths of .the alleged importance of a heavily protected! industry, that it is impossible to lint with our well-being, unless growers can establish their ' industry to compete f with 'World; prices, without placing an undue burden upon -the community. ,/; r ,-■>] :. ...>;•:■.; ....•'.■'■'.■. : \ "■■ To continue, tie propitious' treatment being meted. out /to wheatgrowers can be compared to the restricted narrow vision of the African lwffalo^T-who sees nothing 6n : the right han'dv or the left.

It is'contended that "there has been a great deal of false propaganda circulated nevertheless it is gratifying to learn^that in the opinion of the Minister of' Agriculture a sufficiently,' good case has been presented by all'concerned to justify an investigation. The Hon. C, E. Maemillan is in a somewhat unenviable position, as he has already pledged himself to support the sliding scale duties, whereas he is compelled by conviction to admit "the present operation of the sliding 'scale I duties on wheat was mot satisfactory, and he would like to change the duties." The writer would remind the Mini^r that "conviction in general is the assurance of the truth of any proposition/ and also an economic truth must take precedence in so far as sound development and production is concerned.

The sum total of the whole question under review is that, in comparison' to other integral parts of the Empire, this Dominion is not a grain-growing country, and the high protection being granted a favoured few wheatgrowers is at the expense of the majority and expansion o£ other industries. -To stand solidly for the equitable dispensation of just legislation in preference to lip-service is what is wanted to-day more than ever before an the history of this Dominion. If • the elected vepresentatly.es of the people shoulder their'responsibilities, in a true national sense, there should be no necessity for further commissions to investigate the ■wheat and flour problem or any other problem of a contentious nature.;■ One is unable to discern any reason, real ior imaginary, to expect advancement'toward more. efficiency in our/',.House b£ Representatives unless the spirit of cooperation prevails and constructive debate on all subjects takes the place of/present unprogressive methods. —L am,; etc., , ■ T. A. FRASe'r. Moth October. . -.'.--.