THE FLOUR DUTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 2 September 1907, Page 2

THE FLOUR DUTY.

The close voting in Committeo of Ways and Means on Mr Hogg's proI posal to abolish the duty on Hour i>as 1 excited some interest amongst members !as to what reception it will receive | when submitted to tho committee of, j the whole. The (member for Masterton j has waited patiently to get a chance [with his proposal, especially after be- | ing unable to bring on his Flour Duty Abolition Bill, blocked this session by the stonewalling of the Noxious Weads Bill. As private members' day has been cancelled for tho remainder of the nession, tho Bill had no further opportunity of coming on. The voting "on Mr Hogg's proposal, 31 for tho 32 against, leads to the thought that it might shave a better fate when* again (submitted as soon as the item of flour is reached. For once tho Premier and the Leader of the Opposition found themselves in the same lobby, both against | the abolition of the duty. "J. am going to divide the House again on the question," said Mr Hogg to a Times representative. There were a number of members absent who would have voted against my amendment, but I have not the slightest doubt that if all had been present I would have had a {majority. Two Ministers who voted against it, Mr. Millar and Mr. Fowlds, were supporters of my Flour Duty Abolition Bill two years ago on its second reading. Of course, they could not help voting against me on this occasion, I am all the more pleased with the result of the voting, because I am in high hopes now that this duty will be finally swept away."