Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8868, 19 July 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

IT is certainly true that in some respects the interests of the Employers’ Association and the Farmers’ Union are identical, but in others, unfortunately, they are directly opposite. We therefore regret to notice that some branches of the Farmers’ Uuiouyiro favouring affiliation with the Employers’ Union. There is danger that, if this is done, some of the most important objects of the Farmers’ Union will not receive the attention they require, as the interests of the other body may lead to their opposition. Many of the employers, for instance, are interested in maintaining or increasing the protective tariffs, whereas the Union demands their abolition. It would bo fatal to affiliate, but at the same time there is no reason why both should not act unitedly against common enemies, or for the furtherance of ’ sts which are common to both. ; V ■ of the labour legisla-

tion lie.- ; last goaded the employers into activity, and impelled them to unite in self-defence, au'd the farmers also are beginning to be compelled to realise tiiat the socialistic unions are going to play havoc with their industry if they are not checked. For purposes of defence, then, it would be advisable for both to work together till the common enemy has been vanquished. But, as a matter of fact, if the farmers could ensure the fifth plank of their platform being given legislative effect the labour troubles would entirely disappear, because if there were no restrictive tariffs the unions would bo forced to accept fair wages, and their members would have to do a fair and full day Is work. Some of the employers are interested in opposing this fifth plank, and if there is to bo any united action to prevent further injury under existing conditions the point at which 'defensive alliance shall terminate should be strictly defined and fully understood by both parties.

A CAREFUL perusal of the now tariff will show that the Treasurer lias readied out for more revenue from the Customs, and lias adopted the method of sacrificing a few items on which little revenue was obtained, and increasing the duty on other linos. Amoffg other unsatisfactory features of the tariff arc the duties which directly affect the farming industry. It lias no doubt been a cause of reget to the Treasurer that when the enterprising breeders in the Domiuionetto imported stock they paid no tribute unto Caesar on the transaction, ho he now proposes to collect 10s on every head of horned cattle brought into New Zealand. Then, again, dairy machinery is to bo made sub- : ject to preferential duty, and duty 1

is to bo levied on the very parchment paper in which the butter is exported. The farmer does hot Want protection, which,- indeed, it is impossible to give him on his chief products, but it is certainly bac policy to artificially increase the cost of anything required for use m the' fanning industry, 'which _is such a wealth creator, and which 3ias to compete against all the world in the outside markets. But, considering the Ministry’s hostility to the laud users, the farmers have possibly reason to bo thankful that so far the socialists have not attempted to put a direct tax ou dairy produce or frozen meat.

WE regret .to notice that according to a recent telegram the Nelson fruitgrowers arc either unable to grow "fruit successfully or are not capable of competing with others in the growing of it. They are therefore protesting against any fiscal ai range - incut which will enable the consumer to obtain cheap fruit. If the Nelson growers cannot supply our markets at the same or less price than the outsider, then they should turn their attention to something else, for there is no reason why the rest of the people should bo made to pay specially for their occupation at work which can obviously Jbe done, cheaper or bettor by others. They nave all the advantages of fertile soil and gonial climate, and have no heavy freight charges to pay, and they ought therefore to bo able-to supply cur local market with the cheapest fruit. If they cannot, then the fact still remains that the interests of all the consumers arc of greater importance than those of the Nelson fruitgrowers. The industry that cannot exist without specially taxing all the people, or depriving them of privileges, should bo abandoned.

THE fact that the rate of interest on loans to local bodies is to bo reduced will doubtless bo hailed with satisfaction by those who forget the injunction to beware of the gifts of the Greeks. A Treasurer who has to borrow another million of money to make both ends meet does not sacrifice any revenue without having some definite object in view. We therefore suspect that this gift, which does not amount to much in any ease, is a prelude to the reduction of the subsidies to the local bodies. The fact will be used to illustrate that the Ministry lias done something to aid tiie ‘local bodies, and that if they want more money they must squeeze it from their ratepayers. Tims will more be extracted from the pockets of the country settlers for the general benefit as well as for their own, and the money the Treasurer saves by reduc--1 iug the subsidies will be available for still further inweaso of the departmental expenditure, which last year increased by the enormous sum of nearly half a million of money.