asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that certain flour mills in Cork City and County have closed down during the present week, resulting in four hundred hands being disemployed; whether in the case of the remaining mill the hands have received notice terminating their employment; whether he will investigate at an early date the causes responsible for the serious position of the flour trade in Cork.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CORK FLOUR MILLS CLOSED DOWN.
According to my information the depression in the flour milling industry, which has become accentuated recently, is not confined to Cork, but is fairly general. As I stated in reply to Deputy Hennessy on the 28th January, the position of the whole industry is now under consideration, and I do not think that a special investigation is necessary in Cork.
Is the Minister aware that it is in consequence of the dumping of surplus foreign flour, and is he also aware the millers maintain that the unfair dues charged are responsible for the closing down of the mills in Cork?
Is the Minister aware that the dues on flour over wheat at the following ports are:— Waterford, 55 per cent.; Dublin, 60 per cent.; Limerick, 140 per cent.; Belfast, 60 per cent.; Liverpool, 129 per cent.; while Cork inverts the incidence of dues by charging 122 per cent. on the raw material over the manufactured article?
Up, Cork!
I know that allegations have been made that the present position is due to the dumping of foreign flour, and I have seen considerable correspondence in Cork newspapers with regard to what are described as unfair dues and charges. I am in this difficulty, that even if a charge of unfairness with regard to the incidence of dues was proved, it does not seem that any special action should be taken, now that a Harbour Commission has been set up which can immediately investigate the conditions at Cork, if Cork so desires.
Deputy O'Shaughnessy's question is much on the same lines. There, again, I would like to point out that the powers under which charges are made were obtained by private legislation, and the proper way in which they can be changed is by a Private Bill, or else by a Provisional Order. In both cases the initiative would lie with the Cork Harbour Commissioners. For some reason or other they do not seem willing to take the first step.
Has the attention of the Minister been drawn to the threat that the Dublin mills may be closed down shortly for a somewhat similar reason? Perhaps he would see whether it is within the competence of the new Commission to inquire into the charges made for various items in the way of port dues at the several harbours?
I think the reply to the question was intended to refer to the situation at Dublin as well. I said that there was depression in the flour milling industry which has become accentuated recently, and it is not confined to Cork, but is fairly general. I know that similar complaints to those made by Deputies Egan and O'Shaughnessy in regard to Cork have been made in regard to Dublin. I do hold that the terms of reference of the Harbour Commission will include inquiry into such matters; if not, the terms of reference will be enlarged so as to include it.
Will the Minister agree that the remedy lies in the imposition of a tariff on foreign flour?
Is not the closing down of the mills more or less attributable to want of enterprise on the part of Irish millers, and is it not also a fact that the mills are closed down with an eye to shoving on the tariff that people —millers, not consumers—are crying out for all over the country?
Deputy McBride has answered Deputy Egan.
Do you agree?
Has the Minister figures of the quantity of flour that enters the port of Westport?
Not at the moment.
The remarks of my friend, Deputy——
The Deputy must not make a speech.
At any rate, perhaps you will allow me to make a remark arising out of the question?
Very well.
Since I left the cradle, I have always heard it said that if you put one Irishman on a spit you will find another to turn him.