THE DUTY ON FLOUR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8912, 4 September 1907, Page 2

THE DUTY ON FLOUR.

Supported in Auckland. Tress Association. Auckland, September 3. A special meeting of tho Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon to consider tho proposed abolition of the duty on imported flour. Mr 17. A. Nathan, who presided, considered it would bo a disastrous thing fer the wholo community if the duty was removed. 'The South would bo more affected than the North, which did not grow wheat to any extent, but tho whole colony would suffer. Mr Menuie said if tho local market was thrown open to tho competition of Australia the milling industry in Now- Zcaland would have to shut up altogether.

Mr Evans said if there was any guarantee that tho consumer would got his loaf a penny cheaper there would be room for argument. Ultimately, after a groat deal of discussion, a motion was carried expressing tho opinion that it was extremely undesirable that the duty on flour bo removed, as it was essential to tho farming interests of Nmv Zealand that tho duty should bo retained on both Hour and wheat.

More Protests. Per Press Association. Dunedin, September 3. At a special meeting of tho Committee of tho Chamber of Commerce to-day it was decided to send tho following telegram to the Premier, the Hon. J. A. Millar and t!i o members for Dunedin;— The Committee of tho Chamber of Commerce strongly protests against removing the duties on flour and wheat as proposed by some members of Parliament. They can see no reason why tho agiicultural population and producers should _ be penalised while protection is being given to all other industries in Now Zealand. The Committee would further point out that tho Commonwealth of Australia considers it to its interest to put prohibitive duties upon our agricultural producers. Tho Flour Millers’ Union of Workers has sent a telegram to tho Hon. J. A Millar protesting against the abolition of the flour duty on tiro ground that sue a a course would deprive thorn of tho moans of livelihood and bo of no benefit to workers directly or indirectly.