242 WHEAT PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND 
CHAPTER X. 
RELATED TOPICS. 
Before proceeding to summarise the results of the 
preceding chapters it is necessary to consider certain 
problems connected with the wheat industry and agri- 
culture generally. These problems enter largely into the 
conclusions arrived at in the concluding chapter. This 
is the main plea for considering them here. But the 
nature and importance of the problems are not clearly 
understood by the general public. While the author hopes 
that the present discussion will arouse public attention 
to them he fully realises that they are all the objects of 
much controversy. But it is hoped that the treatment 
which follows will rise above mere controversy and party 
faction. Nothing but the keenest interest in the future 
of the rural industries of New Zealand prompts the 
writer to express opinions in regard to these problems. 
But ample reasons will be given for any such opinions. 
There are four main topics which require such con- 
sideration:—(1) The Flour Millers’ Association, (2) 
The Farmers’ Union, (3) The Policy of Protection in 
Relation to Agriculture, (4) The Public Control of 
Prices. 
1. The Flour Millers’ Association, 
The report of the Cost of Living Commission of 1912 
was strongly indicative of the fact that monopolies, 
