“PIN-PRICKING THE FARMERS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2183, 12 September 1907, Page 2

“PIN-PRICKING THE FARMERS.”

(Special to Times.)

AVELLINGTON, September 10. During the tariff discussion on boilers in connection with dairy machinery this afternoon, tlio Hon. Air. Duncan said tin fanners were getting alarmed at tho attitude of the Government over the tariff. AVhat was the Sinner to think? lie asked. They would think that this was the first screw of increased taxation. It would be tho beginning of a reaction in the country if these pin-pricks were going on. Sir Joseph Ward expressed surprise at this speech from his late colleague. Tho farmers, he urged, should not shut their eyes to what had been done before.

Mr. Duncan, in answer to this, retorted that it was not the present Government that had don e it. Sir Joseph Ward said it did not matter what the Government had done subsequently. The Hon. Mr. Mills, another of the Premier’s ex-colleagues, also characterised the proposed duty as a pin-prick against the industry, v. The Hon. Mr. Guinness said it was shown by the figures quoted by the Premier that tlio tax was not necessary to protect the boilor-making industry. The smallness of the amount involved also showed that the tax was not for revenue purposes. What, he asked, was the necessity for putting on such a duty?. ,