THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1907. THE FLOUR DUTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8529, 6 September 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1907. THE FLOUR DUTY.

In endeavouring to induce the Government to place flour on the free list Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., is, no I doubt, moved by the best intentions. I But the best intentions of men, like those of mice, often "gang a-gley," and not only do the intentions remain unfulfilled, but it is often the case that some of those who mean well should be prevented in the public interest, from carrying out their ideas. It may, also, be remarked that whatever party may be in power the sound common-sense of the House generally is quite equal to "squashing" any erratic ideas which may sometimes influence individual members. Free flour sounds nice—and one is inclined to agree cordially that the contention is a right one. We, ourselves, must confess that at first flush of the question we were dispased to agree with Mr Hogg, but we are of opinion that careful consideration of the question must lead one to the conclusion that it would ' have been a grave error for the House not to have rejected Mr Hogg's Bill. Most of the prominent members in the House voted against the Bill, and the Premier and Leader of the Opposition were both of one mind in regard to Mr Hogg's proposal. If flour should be admitted free to this country why not clothes? There is nothing more commonly used than clothes, and they are. moreover, absolutely necessary to sustaining life. However, if the duty were taken off Hour would the consumer get the benefit whatever it might be? We doubt it. And what would that benefit amount to? Simply to a few shillings per head, and in order to slightly cheapen the price of bread, which it must be admitted is fairly cheap, there* are those who would sweep away the

wheat - growers. There are many reasons that could be urged why it is advisable that New Zealand should grow its own wheat supply, but limited space precludes us enumerating them. The position, briefly, is that abolishing the duty on flour would not confer very much benefit upon the people as a whole, while in several directions it would do a considerable amount of harm.