EMBARGOES ON WHEAT AND FLOUR.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17167, 25 March 1927, Page 5

EMBARGOES ON WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Press Association.)

TNDiGNATION AT TIMARU.

(Per

TIMARU, March 24. The protest sent to the Prime Minister by the Auckland Grain and Produce Merchants Association was considered at a meeting of directors ofl the Cantei'bury Farmers' Association to-day. when surprise was expressed at the statement that there is a movement in the South Island to have importations of flour and wheat prohibited. It was said that what is wanted is a duty oi 33 1-3 per cent. on flour, compared with a duty of 20 per cent. on . wheat. Growers are entitled to ask for a higher duty on the manufactured article than on the raw material. The Auckland telegram was looked upon as propaganda against the endeavour of South Island farmers to obviate a loss on wheat, and surprise was expressed that the Press Association could be used for propaganda purposes. The Chamber of Commerce also' considered the matter, when strong complaint was made concerning the action of the TGovernment in allowing duty-free wheat to be imported : six weeks after the Dominion crop was available. The importation duty on free wheat was said to be contrary to the law which provides for a duty of Is 3d per bushel on wheat. The Government, having broken the law and the market, _ should now1 do something to rectify the serto ous position they had created. New zealand scores i_ — — — «