FLOUR IMPORTS

Southland Times, Issue 20082, 20 January 1927, Page 6

FLOUR IMPORTS

AUSTRALIAN PRICES -- HON. W. DOWNIE STEWART INTERVIEWED NO DUMPING DUTY IN MEANTIME (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, January 19. Interviewed yesterday on the subject of imports of flour, the Minister of Customs (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) stated: “Careful inquiries have been made in Australia as to the accuracy of the information submitted to the Customs Department on export prices as compared with Australian local home consumption prices. The large difference between export, prices to New Zealand and Australian home prices sometimes amounting to £3 a ton as shown in the newspaper market quotations is not confirmed by our inquiries in Australia. Moreover it must be remembered export prices from Australia are for cash and local sales on credit, involving risk of loss by bad debts; also delivery of local sales is at a fixed price over a certain radius, whereas the exporter has merely to deliver at the dock. Importations of flour so far have been normal, and not more than are necessary for the requirements of the Dominion. The position is being closely watched, and dumping duties will be imposed by the Government whenever it is shown circumstances warrant it, allowing for the factors above indicated. Importers are aware the duties can be imposed at any time.”