FLOUR MONOPOLY BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8875, 8 November 1907, Page 5

FLOUR MONOPOLY BILL.

THE PREMIER EXPLAINS. By Telegraph —Press Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. On the motion for going into Committee of the House upon the Flour and Other Products Monopoly Bill, this evening, the Premier said there had been a feeling in the country that the duty should be taken off wheat and flour as a means of reducing the price of bread. Examination of the suggestion, however, would show that such a course was not altogether desirable. If duty were entirely removed from wheat it would probably mean that farmers would cease growing this commodity, and consequently this country would be at the mercy of outside countries. As it was the country did not grow much wheat in excess of that required by the people of the dominion, and consequently we were largely dependent for our supplies on our own growers of wheat, owing to the great distance from other wheatgrowing countries. He had thought a sliding scale could have been introduced to deal with any monopoly or combination to keep up the price of wheat and flour, but recent happenings in the world's markets had shown that this could not be accomplished. However, under this bill an Arbitration Court would be set up to deal with wheat and flour when it reached abnormally high prices. The bill also provided for the Arbitration Court dealing with any monopoly or combination that might seek to raise the price of potatoes. The Premier added that since the Bill had been returned from the Commerce Committee it was found that provision was made for a representation of the agricultural ar.d pastoral societies being a member of the Arbitration Court, and with this provision he was in accord.

CABLE xNEYVS.

United Press Association —Hy Electric Telegraph Copyright.