FLOUR DUTY.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4491, 20 November 1909, Page 3

FLOUR DUTY.

(To the Editor.)

Sib,— There appears to be some misunderstanding about this duty. In your report on Mr Hogg’s speech when introducing his bill, it is stated “ The duty is 20/ per ton, equal to 2/ per cwt” ; it should be 1/ per cental, ©qua) to one-eighth of a penny per pound. The Commonwealth’s duty is £2 10/ per ton against our £l, so if Mr Hogg and his following had succeeded in the abolition of the duty, it is apparent wheat-growing and flour-milling would have ceased, as the Commonwealth’s door is closed to the Dominion, though ours would have been opened to the Commonwealth, India, America, Canada, and Argentine, to strangle two of the largest industries in the Dominion I with far reaching disaster, with railways, Southern cargo steamers, coal mines, and which would seriously interfere with all kinds North Island is admirably I adapted for wheat-growing, and this season there is a large area sown, and why frighten farmers ? . \

We are continually agitating for the openn P Native lands, but I am afraid it would bo of little use doing so, unless the products of the soil are protected against the sweated surplusage of the countries mentioned.

Several members in butter districts, with a protective butter duty equal to 2|d per lb., when voting for the abolition of the flour duty, overlooked the fact that some day there would be an agitation for the removal of this duty if there should be a slump in butter in the Commonwealth or elsewhere, and* how would they like it ? It is evident a few town M.P.’s think there should only be protection for the town and not for the country.and it is obvious a few country M.P. s Bre blind to this danger. Apart from the foregoing, in the event of unfavourable grass seasons what would butter farmers do for their bran and sharps if flour-milling ceased here, as the Commonwealth has never toy to export f We are now having trouble with duty free ®HB’ ar grown by coloured labour, and if Mr Hogg and his following had their way we I Would be having flour manufactured by coloured labour, thus crippling white labour in the Dominion. We legislate to keep out coloured labour and sweated products, yet Mr Hogg and his following are anxious to encourage this class of business, to ruin large Industries, and bring down the living wage of their own countrymen. Might I ask Mr Hogg and his following I In the event of war, or a scare, or a drought j in the Commonwealth, or a comer in I America, how would this Dominion fare if the I wheat-growing and milling industries were I ruined by their stupidity ? But, thank I goodness, we have a sensible Government in I power to prevent stupidity causing ruin,—ll am, etc., j ■ Fair Play, j

(To the Editor) Sir,—Just a line of congratulation. I wbs so amused on reading your contemporary of Thursday to see how you had raised the ire of that elephantine journal the Mail. I just fancied I saw the mighty atom swelling in his indignation; and after priding himself on what he thinks no doubt a smasher . for the little News. Eeally it is amusing to onlookers who have the best of the fun,- I am, etc., Maey Jane.

To the Editor. Some four years ago, on first going to the top of the Bald Spur, it struck me that if this place was in Yankee Band some means would be devised to popularise that splendid point of vantage by giving easy access for all classes. I then thought, and do still,thpt an aerial tram or electrical hanging pars run on a cable would not be a difficult nor yet so expensive a means of access as at first it might appear. Get some such systems started and then talk of advertising Te Aroha. Put tea rooms on the top, the grounds might be laid out, and I venture to say there would not be a bigger attraction in the Dominion during the whole of the summer months. The place would be thronged with those who can appreciate a grand view and a clear bracing atmosphere. I throw this put as a suggestion for abler brains to manipulate, and thus utilise the electric power at present going to waste at the power house in the day time,—l am, etc,, F. Hubbard,