GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 65, 25 June 1910, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

THE TOBACCONISTS' TRADE. By Telegraph—Press. Association. Wellington, June U4. , The Minister for labor was interviewed to-day by the executive of the Wellington Retail Tobacconists' Association. The president said the position of the tobacconists' trade in Wellington was most precarious. He suggested that there should foe an annual, license fee of £5 5a payable by tobacconists. If that were done there would be less smuggling. The Association regarded the Government surtax as a considerable imposition. The 'Hon. Mr. Millar, replying, said the proposal to'license tobacconists was worthy of consideration, but the Government would require to get a more general expression of opinion Ibefore taking steps. He thought wholesale importers could assist retail tobacconists by refusing to sell to shops that were not tobacconists' shops. The surtax was absolutely necessary lor revenue purposes, but it would cease | after March 31 next. An Anti-Trust 1 Bill would be brought down next session, and he expected good results.

UNIFORM HALF-HOLIDAY. Wellington, Yesterday.

In reply to a deputation to-day the Hon. J. A. Millar said he thought Saturday would eventually become the compulsory half-holiday, and a Bill in that direction would probably be brought down next session.

FLAX-MILLING INDUSTRY. Palinerston North, Yesterday

A deputation representing the :vew Zealand Flax-millers' Association waited on the Minister for -Agriculture this morning with a request that a bonus be placed on the Estimates for improved machinery for the treatment of fibre and the utilisation of by-products, and expressing willingness to recoup the Government for the outlay by a tax on hemp. The Minister said the proposal was a businesslike one. The Government recognised the importance ot the industry and how much the country was suitable for flax-growing. He promised to lay the matter before his colleagues.