WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1926, Page 2

WHEAT AND FLOUR.

CHRISTCHUKCH CONERENCI'

FLOUR DUTY MATTER- FOR PARLIAMENT. f BY TFLEGIUril —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 20. Afr John Brown. of “Lowcliffe,” Ashburton, bus received the following wire from the Prime Minister: “The Government is agreeable to rescind the decision made for Government control of the 1926-20 wheat crop, and arrangements will be made accordingly. Regarding the request for an increased duty on Hour, this is a matter for Parliament to decide, but it will receive consideration between now and next season.” CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 20. A conference of the representatives if the wheat growers, flourniillers, merchants and poultrymen, with representatives of the Department of Industries and Commerce, was held today for the purpose of considering draft regulations dealing with the control by tile Government of the marketing of the new season’s wheat harvest. Air G. IV. Clinkard, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, prodded over about 26 representatives. The meeting was'held in coinnvkteo, mil n brief report was subsequently landed to the press, which stated that the difficulties likely to arise in the ivcnt of decontrol were considered. The representative of the poultrymen clearly indicated that the poultrymen would raise strong objection to the payment of the existing duty on the wheat, which wouUl necessarily be imoorteil in considerable quantities into the North Island. The representatives ,f the flour milling, industry also exdained .that, under free market conlit ions, they would he unable to coinncic with Australian Hour if the exislng duty on wheat is imposed, and if io increased protection is given by an increase in the duty on Hour. It was jointed out that, if the milling industry were forced to cease operations, he supply of brail anil pollard would c insecure, and any importations mold necessarily be at very high •> vices. The meeting, after a lengthy liscussion. did not however. bring 'orward or determine upon any joint representations to the Government on the subject, and it is assumed that ,;uli ol the sectional interests wdl make such representations as they deem )i.*r‘CSS?*r‘V.

GOVERNMENT TO ABANDON CONTROL. HON. HAAVKEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT. AVELLINGTON, -Tan. 21. The Hon. 0. J. Hnwkon, Minister if Agriculture, announces tlie control .f the approaching wheat harvest will lot now be undertaken by the Gov■rument in view of the decision arrived it by the conference of growers at Ashburton on Tuesday. Control will be abandoned and the market will be ,Bowed to take its own course behind lie protection of the tnrilf which, howner. may, at a later date, require to :c adjusted or modified as may be 'ouud necessary. The existing Orders-in-Council prohibiting the importation of wheat and wheat products. u.nd prohibiting pn/ate dealing in the new season’s wheat will lie revoked at an early date.