PROTECTION FOR WHEAT INDUSTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 115, 5 August 1927, Page 3

PROTECTION FOR WHEAT INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS Press Association. ASHBURTON, Thursday. A conference called by the Mid-Can-terbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held to-day to discuss the importation of Australian flour into New Zealand, and the Government’s intention with regard to protection of the local product. There was a large attendance of delegates, representing millers, merchants, the provincial executives of the Mid, North and South Canterbury and the North Otago Farmers’ Unions, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. H. C. B. "Withell, president of the Mid-Canterbury executive, presided. Proceedings were taken in committee. The following report was received from the Wheat Committee: “We report that the committee is satisfied the Government’s intentions are that growers shall receive 6s a bushels on trucks, as the average price for Tuscan wheat. It is, moreover, the committee’s opinion that when the negotiations which are at present in progress, and which have in view the elucidation of the situation, are completed, this will be secured for growers.” The following resolution, proposed by Mr. W. Machin, chairman of the Wheat Committee, and seconded by Mr. Cullen, North Canterbury, was carried: “That this conference thanks the Government for its proposal to adjust the duties on imported flour, with the object of giving adequate protection to the wheat-growing industry of New Zealand, and stabilising the position for the future. This conference also hopes that farmers’ and millers’ organisations will get together for the purpose of taking the fullest advantage of the proposal for the benefit of the Dominion.”