THE DUTY ON FLOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 4 September 1907, Page 2

THE DUTY ON FLOUR.

Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A special meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon to consider the proposed abolition of the duty on imported flour. Mr. N. A. Nathan, who presided, considered it would be a disas- { trous thing for the whole community -' ! if the duty was removed. Tha South would be more affected than the North, which did not grow wheat to any extent, but the whole colony would suffer, t ■ Mr. Meunie said if the local market was ' - thrown open to the competition of Australia the milling industry in New Zealand would havo to shut up altogether, Mr. Evans said if there was any guarantee that the consumer would get his loaf a penny cheaper there would be room for argument. Ultimately, after a great deal of discussion, a motion was carried expressing the opinion that it is extremely undesirable that the duty on ' flour be removed, as it is essential to "' ' the farming interests of New Zealand «-L." •that the duty should be retained on both flour and wheat.

Dunedin, Last Night At a special meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce to- ■ - day it was decided to Bend the following telegram to the Premier:— -"The . committee of the 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 the agricultural population and producers should he penalised while protection is being given to all other industries in New Zealand. The committee would further point out that the Commonwealth of Australia considers It to its interests to put prohibitive duties upon our agricultural produce." The Flourmillers' Union of Workers has sent a telegram to the Hon. J. A. Millar protesting against the abolition of the flour duty, on the ground that such a course would deprive them of the I means of livelihood and be of no benefit to workers directly or indirectly.