THE FLOUR TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 164, 11 July 1907, Page 3

THE FLOUR TRADE.

A letter was read at the Trades Council last night from the Auckland Sadlers' Union, conveying a resolution asking the Council to urge the Government to nationalise the flour trade so as to enter into competition with the flour trust.

Mr Brittain moved: "That the Government be urged to remove the duty on flour and potatoes in the meantime." Such a course, he considered, would help to reduce the price of flour.

Mr Peake thought the matter should be allowed to stand over, as the Government already had a very large* programme on with the question of nationalising the land. A motion of his in this direction was adopted by the Council.

Later in the evening, the question was again raised by Mr Nedrie, on behalf of the Flourmillers' Union, protesting against the remission of duty on flour as being injurious to ..the industry. It would mean that Australian flour would be dumped into Auckland, and result in throwing the majority of those engaged in the industry out of work. He moved that this matter be urged upon the Government.

Mr Sharp seconded.

Several members opposed the motion on the ground that the abolition of the duty would mean a reduction in the price of bread.

It was decided finally to instruct the secretary to write to the Government urging that the tax on flour be retained.

Mr Rosser moved: ""That the Master Bakers' Asocisation be urged that, inasmuch as the price of flour had fallen, it was high time that the price of bread should also fall." This was unanimously agreed to.