TARIFF AND INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1921, Page 7

TARIFF AND INDUSTRY.

THE FARMERS’ VIEWPOINT. MEASURE OF PROTECTION. The subject of increasing the secondary industries in New Zealand was referred to by Mr. A. A. Ross when responding to the toast of “the Farmers’ Union” at the Industrial Corporation’s dinner at Auckland last week. Mr. Ross said the farmers were in favor of giving reasonable assistance to secondary industries by way of producing raw materials, provided the goods manufactured therefrom could be produced at a reasonable price. It was, however, just a question whether the time had arrived for extending the secondary industries of the country. “If you attempt to start secondary industries before the time is properly ripe for doing so,” he said, “you will be like a man swimming against the current, as it were. You will be establishing something which is going to be a great expense to the community. There will come a time when these industries can be established naturally and when they will be readily maintained. I am, however, prepared to give the secondary industries a fair start.” What the farmers objected to, said Mr. Ross, was the imposing of a permanent tariff. The Farmers’ Union platform was quite definite upon this question, and contended that a tariff should be for revenue purposes only. “There never has been an industry started,” continued Mr. Ross, “where the promoters, after it has been well established, have been prepared to advocate the removal of any protective tariff imposed to assist them. Year after year they have gone to Parliament with the request that the tariff shall be increased. That is what makes the farmers view the tariff with a great deal of suspicion at present. When the commission takes evidence on this question the farmers will be found looking into it and taking a stand in opposition to many of you gentlemen.” Before the secondary industries of this country could be successfully increased, there would have to be adequate road and railway communication in order that goods could be transported all over the country rapidly and at little cost. When they had adequate communication the secondary' industrialists would have the solid support of the farmers.