FARMER’S VIEW OF TARIFF.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1927, Page 4

FARMER’S VIEW OF TARIFF.

IMPLIED PROMISES BROKEN GOVERNM ENT SEVER ELY CASTIGATED. “The Government have put a noove round their own necks and a spike in their own coffin,” was a remark by Mr E. 11. Feisst when discussing the new tariff at the meeting of the executive of the Auckland branch o! the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Tie expressed the opinion that the amended tariff was simply -a fane, and it would not in any way redound to the present Government’s credit. (Hear, bear). Captain 11. M. Rushworth expressed the opinion that steps were being taken to endeavour to minimise what bad been done. The Government bad prided itself that it represented the farmers, and bad said that it had been nut in by farmers. As a matter of fact the Coates Government had gone in on the implied promise that it was going to set the drift from town to country but nothing bad been done. Instead it bad decided to increase the cost of production. It had certainly not decreased it. The. Government could well be accused of hypocrisy in this particular instance as well as in many (.tilers. Farmers bad been dealt with unjustly, unfairly and in an iniquitous manner.

i ■ Other speakers expressed the opinion the Governin'"'! bad not been consistent. Instead of reducing • taxation it had been increased. It ■ was o-id'v evident that no notice bad ■ been taken of the icommission. There; was no doubt f !«•(•. the Government bad put “another screw on the farmer, and it was quite evident that the turning point come.’’ said Captain Col heck. Ho also remarked that he had been trying to educate the farmers politically for the last thirty years and had possibly failed. But. in future be intended to educate [ them in a totally different manner. He would preach the gospel: “Don’t buy protected goods.” This would perhaps make those who were responsible for the tariff sit up and take notice. (Hear, bear.) To his mind a groat injustice had been done to the primary producer. It was finally decided to enter a strong protest against the tariff and sent the communication to the Minister of Customs as well as Cabinet M misters

; Tlie resolution by Mr Fiesst read: • “That this executive enters its most j emphatic and indignant- protest at : the Government’s ruthless sacrifice of j the exporting farming industries in the recent amendment of the tariff in that the costs of production under which the primary industries are already staggering are materially raised by the increasing duties. It was noted with dismay the • Government’s rejection of the repro- ; sentations and appeals which had | been made ad nauseam by the farmers j calling for a progressive reduction in the iniquitous and oppressive taxation levied through the protective duties ” ft was remarked that the Minister of Customs bad stated that duty had only been increased on two articles used by farmers This statement was challenged by Mr Fiesst. who read out a list of thirty-five taken at random