TARIFFS AND COSTS.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 17, 12 September 1931, Page 4

TARIFFS AND COSTS.

To the Editor. Sir, — Convinced, no doubt, that through lack of effective organisatidn the interest's of the, export' primary producers are being injured more and more hy detrimental legislation, f armers of the Rotorua district have 'decided to resuscitate the defunct Rotorua branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. During the course of a preliminary meeting having this object in view, the opinions. hxpressed by the president of the Matamata branch' (Mr. D. B. Higgins) upon the fiscal system of this Dominion were fully endorsed. The meeting decided ' (vide "Mhrning Post" report) to urge the Prime Minister to reduce Customs tarilfs immediately on/fche' hecessxties of life, including the implements of production, in order that the farmers might be able to reduce their production costs in conf ormity with the lowered prices now ruling in the world's markets where they must sell their products. ' ->The resolution might well have gone just a little further, and aslced for an immed'iate and total abolition of duties on the implements of production from whatever source obtalned. New Zealand is a debtor countfy, and is dependerit upon her export industries to pay for imports interest on national debt, and for costs of Government. In the national sense secondary non-exporting industries xperely amount to taking in one another's washing. For the year 1929-30 the pastoral industries provided 94.2 per cent. of the export trade, and agricultui'al 1.8 per cent., making a total of 96 per cent. Protective duties vex'y seriously affect these industries that are Of paramount importance to the stability and solvency of New Zealand. Therefore, let us aholislx tariffs and see onr primary industries flourjsh. — I am. SIMPLE SIMON.