WHEAT PRICES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1924, Page 4

WHEAT PRICES.

■■— I ' MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICISM. WELLINGTON, March 12. Interviewed to-day in regard to the subject of wheat growing, particularly concerning the statement made by Air 0. W. Leadley, of Ashburton, that the Government’ evaded the responsibility ol putting forward any definite proposal, the Arini.ster of Agriculture (the Hen. W. Nosworthy) stated that he failed to understand how anyone could regard the proposals made by the Government as in any way indefinite. ‘'Surely." he said, “the decision that the Government will not, after t lie current season, fix or guarantee, tile price of wheat, and that the cmlai go on importations will be lifted nit Fchruarv 28 next is definite enough, ft simply means that f< r future crops i ■ c wheat grower will have the protection a Horded by the Customs duty of approximately Is 3d per bushel plus the natural advantage of local ovei

imported wheat in. the way of freight handling charges, etc. “Thete is no thought of sheltering b.liital Parliament as Mr I.>—Hey alleges." continued the Minister. "Ihe Government lias given the decision which the wheat growers conference asked .should be furnished within 11 days, and it is quite prepared to take the responsibility for that decision. The only point on which it is necessary or desirable to consult Parliament is in regard to raising the duty on Hour hi bring it into line with that on wheat. It is true, as Mr Leadley says, that Lite Government has power to alter the t:»iifs' without reference to Parliament. Thi; is a power which should he exorcised only in a grave emergency, and sreh circumstances do not tit present exi.-f. The object of the proposed incirated duty on Hour will le to make

it more payable to import wheat. This will give employment for the Hour mills r f the Dominion as well as ptovido us wit!: brail and pollard which we would Iliac difficulty in procuring separately. "A point w hic h seems to lie generally oiot'looked is that in the 192! tariff revision the Government increased the taiiff on wheat from 94 percental to 2s I ei cental and on Hour from Is to 2s Gd per ceutpl. Farmers therefore now enjoy much greater protection than they Innl before the days of price fixing. As regards Mr Leadlev’s statement. that the Gov eminent could lor the asking have had a guarantee that a Miflieient area of wheat should be gti-Wii. i |utt tliis very point to the conference, but failed to elicit a tepl.v. “It is very interesting to know.” said the Afinister, ‘‘that an authority such its Air lasidley lias tint icipated that Australian wheal will be selling i” the Dominion at 8- a bushel before li-iig. If Mr Leadley’s anticipation is realised New Zealand growers will be in a more advantageous position than a, v reasonable guarantee could place them as ! pointed out to the conference. However. Australian wheat can be landed tit the main ports, duty paid, at Gs lid per bushel, mid Mr l.e.adley's estimate therefore appears over-san-