DUTY ON FLOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 17, 20 June 1913, Page 3

DUTY ON FLOUR.

| CANTERBURY MILLERS' PROTEST. - OBJECT TO FREE TRADE. . Per Press Association. Christehurch, June IS. A luncheon which was given by Messrs Wood Bros., the well-known millers, to visiting millers and others interQsted, to commemorate the opening of their new ! elevator at Addington to-day, provided an occasion for the ventilation of the feelings of millers at any prospect of free trade in flour between this country anil Australia. The remarks expressed I considerable uneasiness as to the future, and many speakers urged, as one means of protection, that all the millers of the country should combine and form a strong combination. Such a combine formerly existed, but was somewhat broken a few years ago by some members who felt aggrieved at tiie smallness of their monthly orders for manufacture. Their plants were not fully occupied, and they desired that they should be so. •Mr. W. Evans, the oldest miller here, said that all the millers present and elsewhere should bind themselves together again and re-form the old trust, although it was not a trust. What, he asked, was the present position'?, Mr. Fisher had suggested that they should have free trade in wheat with Australia. If they did get such free trade they must understand the position. The farmers of this country would not grow enough wheat to keep the millers going, and tlicy would have to depend on Australia, and Australia in time of drought would have to depend on America. In that case three countries would be relying on one, and if war broke out in the meantime there would be trouble. He hoped that the present Association would send a deputation to the Government before the House started its session and thoronghly understand what its intentions were with regard tn free trade. "Free trade," he continued, "will not suit us at all here at the present time. If we know when the;years of drought are coming it will be all right, but we cannot know that.-" But he did not think the present Government would abolish the duty, because it was a fanners' Government. He had been a little surprised, however, to hear that some of the farmers were going over to free trade. Mr. R. Allen remarked that what they 'I had to fear at present was the duty. There was not a doubt in his mind that Mr. Fisher was in favor of free trade. Tliey had only to think what would happen under free trade to see tiie danger, and they had also to remember that a few years ago it was saved in the House by only one vote. He argued the question from the farmer's point of view, and asked what they would gain. Even at present some dumping was done, and if the pound duty went it would be far more extensive. He personally would like to see the Association bound together again. A CANTERBURY PROTEST. Christclnirch, June 18. At a meeting 0 f the North Canterburv branch of the Farmers' Union, Mr. Leaduev said he had heard that in the suggested commerei;i I agreement between Australia and New Zealand provision would lie made for the removal of the duty on Australian wheat and flour coming into New Zealand. He considered that a protest should lie made against this arrangement, for it would seriously allect the future of Canterburv, which was the principal grain-growing district hi New Zealand.

A motion was adopted asking the Government to receive a deputation on the subject before the ratification of the agreement was discussed.