WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1932, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

HERITAGE OF THE WAR,

THE BREAD PROBLEM

(From a Corresponuent)

WELLINGTON, July 6.

The Wellington evening paper is again drawing attention to the wheat and flour proDlem, which, more or less, has been worrying every household in th© Dominion since the earliest stages of tlie Great War, Its latent allusion to the subject is at least entitled to attention. Quite wisely seventeen years ago the National Government, led by Mr Massey, took (authority to Resistance to the farmers in one way and another in. order that they might produce wheat each year to provide the whole community with a sufficiency of the “stall of life” and so make it independent of outside supplies, which might become unavailable in the turmoil of a worldwide unheavai. The result was entirely satisfactory, both to the farmers and to the public during the war, and during, the early part of its aftermath, but with the passage of time the public began t., realise that bread was cleaner in New Zealand than it was in any other part of the Empire. • ’ ' I THE CONSUMERS’ BURDEN. The “Evening Post”, points out that when a termer Goveiiinicnu. imposed very heavy duties upon wlidat. aim flour coming into the Donuifiou it’ was of vital importance tnat tlie

country siioum lie seli-renant tor. rta -s,uppli.tis of ...theste eommqdiUes. This year the country has not the amount of wheat requireu tor its people, and the Government, m peace time, will have to go abroad for an additional .milbon bubnets. “Tile wneat grower has received or will presently receive throiigli his’wheat pool”, says , the “Post” in reviewing the .situation, “the equivalent oi about 4s 7d per bushel for wheat at railway sidings, probably the highest price paid for the grain in any wheat produeng country in the world.-” The consumer is told that lie still will be required to pay the same stiff price as he was' paying in the days of tile war and that tne Government win pocket a ' substantial profit upon the imported! wheat. This is but poor comfort for the taxpayers. AUCKLAND. PROTEST. Comipercial < Auckland ie distinctly against the continuance ,of the “Wheat tr-ool,” and its G’hamoer or Commerce has iterated and reiterated its objection to privileges being given to wheat’ that are withheld from ocher producers. Its latest protest, which... already h-as been widely distributed,, declaret “that the rate of duty on the wheat, which it. to .be imported from Austrd - lia should be the same .irrespective of the .place whence-it is imported or, .purpose for which-it is .required.” To tins is added a strong, comment “upon the action of the Government* in virtually. aiding and abetting a monopoly and imposng a purely revenue duty on wheat at such a time as this,” anu further “that the poultry industry is being crushed at the dictates of the southern millers.'” There is a good deal to.be said in support 'of all this since the Great War is -fourteen years behind t'o-day and both Australia and Canada are aching to supply this Dominion’s needs: WHAT WILL OTTAWA SAY? A sufficient number of representatives of New Zealand interests have been sent to Ottawa jto ensure that the welfare of this country will be adequately guarded during the great national gathering. Mr Coates,, the leaders of the Dominion’s battalion, and Mr. Downie Stewart, its expounder, accompanied by a- little group of permanent officials, 'dhd a larger body ol experts, cannot help but make an impression upon the notable assembly. They were dispatched with a hearty goodwill ' on their departure from here and there is no doubt they will be received with corresponding cordialityon their arrival in the northernmost of the Enrpre’s Dominions, Neither ■Mr Coates nor Mr Stewart is a stranger to Canada—they both claim to be acquainted with the country and its people—but the majority of expert! accompanying the Ministers, by comparison are strangers to the land. To them it will, remain to demonstrate tc the world at large that the product! of this country are entitled to generous attention. , j