STRONG PROTEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 150, 17 February 1932, Page 5

STRONG PROTEST

N.Z. MASTER BAKERS AND WHEAT PROTECTION DUTIES PLAN OWN SALVATION PALMERSTON N., Tuesday. The 31st annual eonvention of the New Zealand Master Bakers and ^astrycooks' Association opened this morning with a large attendanee of delegates from all parts of the Dominion. A civic welcome was extended the delegates by the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, to which the president, Mr, H. P. Burton, replied. In his presidential address Mr. Burton said that in common with other businesses profit had disappeared in the baking industry. Bad trade practices had grown to alarming proportions, in addition to which the latest arbitration award intensified the probtom generally. Apart from those factors the industry, as the last link between the plough and the breakfast table, had to stand up to probably the highest flour prices operating anywhere in the world. Wheat Shordage Mr. Burton added that the whole trade recognised the need of some form of protection for the wheatgrowers both in their own interest and in a national sense, but when that protection reached the disproportion (even with a prospective drop in flour) of over £6 per ton they had a right to protest vigorously. In view of the reported shortage in the wheat harvest this year the New Zealand executive suggested that the deficiency be estimated according to requirements and the difference required to be imported free of duty, thus allowing for the possibility of a further decrease in flour prices. On the question of Government action to aid a partieular industry the president expressed himself as sceptical, therefore he was eonfirmed in his belief that their industry should plan its salvation direct, apart from politicians.