NEW ZEALAND MILLS CLOSING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3004, 27 February 1926, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND MILLS CLOSING.

Christchurch, Last Night. A conference of millers’ representative of both Islands was held today, in camera. Subsequently, a report was issued, in which it was stated that the Government /scheme provides for legislation differentiating between fowl and milling wheat. Further, it was held that the Government scheme deliberately closed New Zealand mills in favour of Australian. ’[he repot t went on to outline the millers’ last minute offer to the Government as follows — “(i) The millers guaranteed not increase the present prices of Hour, l.ran and pollard. “(2) The millers guaranteed to pav :l,e farmers minimum prices or 6/9, 6/10 and 7/-'f.o.b., and to buy and take delivery of the whole of the crop by .June, 1926. “ (9) The Government to impose the embargo on Australian flour and import the deficiency of wheal for poultry and milling purposes.” Millers claimed the foil nving advantages for their scheme: — (1) The general public was protected, the prices of flour and bread remaining the same. (2) The dairy and poultry industries were benefited, the present favourable prices of £8 for bran and £9 for pollard, f.o.b. were continued, and supplies of offal were assured in the country. (3) New Zealand mills and workers would he kept going full time. In contrast to the advantages of the millers’ proposal, mill asserted that the Hon. 0. J. Hawken’s scheme has the following disadvantages: — (1) Substantial increase in the prices of bran and pollard to the Australian poultry, of some 30/to 40/- per ton, and supplies most seriously jeopardised. (2) Differential legislalon cancelling the duty on poultry wheat, but imposing it on wheat imported for bread. (3) Deliberately continuing to "protect” New Zealand wheat after the New Zealand crop has been ascribed, charging 1/3 per bushel duty on Australian milling wheat, and forcing New Zealand mills to close down and to send wages and manufacturing costs to Australian mills, without any advantage to the New Zealand consumer.