A PROTECTIONIST AGITATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8879, 2 August 1907, Page 3

A PROTECTIONIST AGITATION.

Per Press Association. Wellington, August 1. The Agricultural Implement Manufacturers Importation Sale Act, 1905, is to be brought into operation. The Act was designed to prevent the Harvester Trust from unfairly competing against New Zealand manufacturers, and provided that ou a complaint being made the Commissioner of Trade aud Customs shall summon the Board to inquire into the matter. If it recommends that relief be granted the Commissioner may grant the manufacturers a bonus not exceeding 33 per cent. A few days ago petitions in proper form were made by a number of agricultural implement makers at Christchurch to the Commissioner that the Harvester Trust has been “cutting” prices to an extent they considered to be injurious to their business, aud the Commissioner at once took steps to summon the Board, which under the Act has to consist of the President [ of the Arbitration Court, President I of the Farmers’ Union, President of I the Industrial Association of Canter- J bury, aud a person appointed by the 1 Governor on the recommendation of the Trades aud Labour Councils, and a person appointed by the Governor ou the recommendation of the Agricultural Assoiations. The members of the so far are the President of the Arbitration Court

/ Judge Sim), President of the Fanners’ Union (Mr J. G. Wilson), the representative of the Pastoral and Agricultural Associations (Mr J. Barugh, of Hamilton), the representative of the Trades and Labour Councils (Mr A. H. Cooper, of Wellington). The President of the Industrial Association of Canterbury is Mr A. N. Bevan, but as he is one of the petitioners for an inquiry he will resign. Whoever is appointed iu his place will sit on the Board, which will met at Christchurch ou August 35th.

Auckland, August 1. In connection witli a telegram dealing with the Harvester Trust, the manager of one of the largest 'hardware warehouses iu Auckland said:—‘ ‘ I think you will find that tills agitation in Christchurch has been got up by manufacturers and not importers. It was at the farmers’ instigation that last year’s Act was passed. In Christchurch aud Dunedin the manufacture of agricultural machinery is a big item, aud up here very little is done. With regard to the Trust, it does compete, but it gives vary long credits and takes a class of business we are not looking for. ’ ’