HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12910, 15 July 1905, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

. FRIDAY, JULY 15. The House met at 2.30. LABOUR BILLS': The Labour Bills Coitimittee was granted fourteen days' extension. oi tdme to report on the Shops and Offices Bill. ' ' FLOUR DUTY. In moving to 'introduce the Flour Duty Abolition Bill Mr Hogg said it provided for the abolition of the duty levied upon flour imported into New Zealand^ The price of flour in Well ington.' " at the present time was £1 10s to £1 15s per ton -'higher th"an in Sydney, although .Drilling Wheat was f ourpence al.a 1 . - bushel cheaper in New Zealand than in New South 'Wlales. The concession -he , -proposed would mean between .&2000 and, £3000 per week to the breadwinners of the colony. Sir J. G. Ward said the object of the member for Qffasterton was worthy of all admiration, provided that the price of bread was not brought foelow the cost of - production. If they took the duty off flour they, should talke it off wheat, and that would be one of the greatest blows, in fact, the farming- commimity could receive. (Mr Seddon raised the point that a private member ' could not introduce a' bill dealing with the duties which are leviable under the Customs Duties Act. ' The Speaker ruled that the bill could be introduced by a private member. Mr Bedford said it was the Floxtrmillers' Trust which had caused this agitation, as it was believed that if the duty was taken off flour the Trust would not be able to increase the price abnormally to the consumers. Mr Lewis characterised the Bill as an electioneering dodge. • /Mr Taylor said the failure of the House to deal with the Flourmiilers' Trust had meant a loss to consumers of the colony of £100,000 a year. To meet this Trust the State must mill flour. 5Mr Seddon : Or fix a price at which flour should be sold. Mr T. Mackenzie pointed out that a select committee of the House had femnd tjiat the price of flour had not been increased by the operations' of the Flounnillers' Association. iMr Massey yaid he was jquite willing to see the duty on wheat and flour struck off if city people would agree to do away wdth the duty on. boots and shoes. •Mr Duncan said the farmers had not 'made money from wheat growing and a remission of the duty would prevent them growing it at all. .Several' other members* also took part 'in the debate which wan iwter[nzpted by the' dinner adjournanetrt.