ADDRESS TO FARMERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2326, 8 September 1921, Page 2

ADDRESS TO FARMERS.

MR, NEWMAN, M.P

At Rongotea on Saturday, Mr E. Newman, M.P., addressed a gathering of farmers on matters of vital interest.” Dealing with the slump question and finances, lie said that the prices realised at Home for our produce were not bad, but the excessive cost of transport made this market unprofitable, especially for beef and wool. Retrenchment in the Public Service was necessary. It should start with the legislature, and stop before the lowest wages bad been reached. Legislation was to be brought down, aiming at a reduction in the cost of Government. Speaking on taxation, he said New Zealand had the heaviest burden in this connection of any country in the world. The time had arrived when farmers could no longer bear the strain, due, without doubt, to the slump prices being received. It was the duty of the Government to revise the whole expenditure of the Dominion with a view to making it possible to reduce taxation. In the matter of tariffs lie said this was to be revised next session, and he hoped it would not be made prohibitive. A revenue tariff which would encourage the importation of articles in daily use would benefit all except the industries now protected. The people must keep an eye on the Government when the tariff question was being considered. lie was confident, in spite of all the plausible arguments about spending the money in the country, that a protective tariff would raise the cost of living, and be prejudicial to the best interests of the vast majority of people in ibis Dominion. The Moratorium Act would probably be extended, but with modifications. Mr Newman urged increased production. He concluded with an appeal to farmers to join the Union, and thus they would have a combination which would lie most helpful in protecting their interests.