WHEAT MARKET PARALYSED

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8526, 2 September 1907, Page 5

WHEAT MARKET PARALYSED

THE ABOLITION OF FLOUH DUTY. (Post Correspondent.) CHKISTCHURCH, August 31. The narrow defeat in the House of Representatives of a motion having for its object the abolition of the import duty on flour caused quite a flutter in milling circles during the last few days, and the uncertainty of the attitude of the Horse on the question has had the result of momentarily paralysing business in the wheat market. The division having been so close it is felt that an effort will be made to re-open the question during the progress of the Tariff Bill through the House, and pending a final decision millers absolutely refuse to consider grain submitted to them for sale. It is stated that th<3 abolition of the present duty would practically mean the closing down of the colony's mills and a very serious depreciation in the value of all milling property, and farmers would be injuriously affected. Canterbury being the great wheat-grow-ing centre of the colony, it is claimed that the province would be a very heavy sufferer under such a condition of affairs as was sought to be brought about by Mr Hogg's proposition. The freight for flour from Lyttelton to Auckland is practically the same as from Sydney to Auckland or to any of the other New Zealand ports served by the present lines of steamers. It is contended that with wheat at 3s lid in Australia, flour could be placed on the Auckland market at i £9 2s per ton, while with Canterbury wheat at 4s 6d, flour from this province could not be landed in the North at a lower figure than £lO Ss. A UNION'S PROTEST. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 31. At a meeting of the Canterbury Flourmill Employers' Union, last evening, a resolution was unanimously carried emphatically protesting against the action of Canterbury Labour members in voting for the abolition of the duty on flour, as such reduction will not only be the means of closing down all the fiourmills in the South Island, ,but will deprive a very large number of farm workers of employment. The union also requested the Premier to give the strongest uossiblt support to the retention of the duty. Copies of the resolutions will be sent to the Canterbury members and the Premier.