THE RECIPROCAL TREATY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13278, 10 September 1906, Page 5

THE RECIPROCAL TREATY.

MEETING OF FLOURMILL EM-

PLOYEES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION*.]

Dpkedix, Sunday. A well-attended meeting of the employees in flourmills in and around Dunedin was held on Saturday evening, when it was resolved, "That this meeting views with strong disapproval and alarm the proposed reciprocal treaty now before Parliament. This treaty proposes to admit Australian Hour into New Zealand free of duty. Such a course would mean the ruin of the ilounnillmg industry in New Zealand, and .as a consequence hundreds of mill operatives would be thrown out of employment, bringing much hardship to themselves and those depending upon their earnings for support. While generally in sympathy with reciprocity, we maintain that the interests of the workers should be the first consideration of our representatives, and any alteration to the existing tariff will be so far-reaching in its effects that it will act prejudicially not only to ourselves, but the farm labourers also. We sincerely trust our protest will receive the most careful consideration of the Government.'"

The secretary of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union has received a telegram advising him that the conference of delegates from fruitgrowers' associations will meet at Wellington on the 14th hist. The conference will consider the question of the proposed reciprocal treaty with Australia. A delegate from the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union will attend the conference.