WHEAT AND FLOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1926, Page 4

WHEAT AND FLOUR

DUALI.MXG ALLEGED. [BY TELECBAPn —PEIt PP.ESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. April 29. The dumping of Australian flour into New Zealand was the subject id' a deputation to the fTou O. J. Hawkcn. Alinister of Agriculture, and the Hon. .Minister of Customs, to-day. The deputation comprised Air 0. Coop, Air T. K. Gibson and Air 11. S. S. Kyle. ALU. % The deputation declared that Australian Hour was being sold at Auckland at £2 tt ton less than the same flour was sold to Australian bakers. This had a prejudicial effect on New Zealand w’ eai as was shown by the fact- that its pri.s was two shillings a Inishel less than the imported Australian variety. They asked the Government t.o adopt the rccommendat io's of

i ’ Ca; i bury cm: lerenee that antidumping regulations be applied to A its tralian flour and that the slaty i.e increased to above the parity of wheat duty. Alter the 'conclusion of the interview to-day the .Minister of Agriculture. Air Hawkcn. stated that he sees mi reason why the present arrangements regarding imported wheat and flour should he interferred with. This expression of opinion was given when the .Minister was asked the result of the deputation from the Canterbury interests, who complained ol flour dumping in the North Island. Air Hawkcn stated that, compared with the flour imports for the corresponding period of last, year, the recent imports had not been extraordinary, and the difference in price might possibly lie explained by fluctuations in the market or by the fact that it seemed that Australian chose, to sell flour for export cheaper than lor homo ennsumption. “Regarding the price paid for wheat iu New Zealand, and the price paid in Australia.” added the Minister, “there seems to he a wide difference between the relative prices of flour and wheat in tho two countries.

“The price of bran and pollard appears tn !«' rather less in Australia than in New Zealand. Tt can hardly he argued, therefore, that llie millers in New Zealand are unable to compete against the Australian flour. r, ’he price the New Zealand miller giv;»s for New Zealand wheat is really the consideration which, rides the prices of flour.