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Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1926, Page 2

A North Island paper which advocates the cause of the farmers in no uncertain sound, thinks the New Zealand farmer should study the position of the American farmer in relation to State control and protective legislation before too readily agreeing to any material alteration in the protective tariff of this country. In the United States there are rural banks and protective duties on grain, meat, wool and butter, hut these aid to industrial prosperity have not saved the American farmer. To foster local markets by reason of high protective duties is now being roundly urged, and the Government has intimated its intention of overhauling the Customs’ Tariff next session. The paper above referred to considers that the farming community should he alert to the commercial trend of events, and protest vigorously on their behalf to secure the position. The farmers, however, are as much interested as anyone,'in the industrial development enjoyed by Lhc country. If industries can be fosteied and local products manufactured to keep out the foreign made goods, the farmer will enjoy his share of the resultant prosperity from the consequent trade development. It should be borne in mind, that the country has not spared itself to assist the settler on to the land with cheap money and special efforts to direct the trading of the farmers. The Agricultural Department lias been expanded for the benefit of the settlor, and performs many services of value gratuitously. It seems therefore that there can bo no complaint on the part of the farmers for lack of attention to their interests. Being thus well catered for, assistance to other avenues of development should hardly be objected to, at all events to the extent of boding up progress. The disposition is to help the man on the land very generously, and on that account, and in return, any effort to foster industrial developments in other directions should not bo regarded with hostility by the farmers from the very inception of the proposed action.