TARIFF FIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1922, Page 5

TARIFF FIGHT.

AMERICAN WOOL SCHEDULE. “PROTECTION GONE MAD.” By. Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. July 29. An intimation that the Republican insurgents will abandon the fight against the Tariff Bill was given in the Senate, when Senator Len Root announced he would seek a test vote on the wool schedule .and, if defeated, would allow the remainder of the rates to pass without delay. Senator Nelson (Republican) then made a bitter speech against the high tariff, declaring that the wool schedule was being dictated by Senators from wool States and that the agricultural produce rates were purposely made high to blind the farmers to the rates provided on manufactured products. Senator Nelson termed the wool tariff protection gone mad, and declared that wool was the keystone of a hard and fast compact formed by interested parties for the purpose of forcing the FordneyM'Cumber Bill through Congress. Uproar followed the introduction in the Senate by Senator Caraway (Democrat) of a resolution directing that the Senate judiciary committee should investigate the reports that certain Senators were financially interested in the tariff schedules, which they were openly supporting. Senators Bursum and Gooding admitted they had wool holdings, but denied there anything wrong in their voting for protective duties. They pointed out they Were better able to judge the needs of woolgrowers, being such themselves. Senator Ward called the measure “A damn fool resolution,” and Senator Wadsworth objected to consideration being given it, but the Democrats declare they will continue their efforts to pass it. Received July 31, 8.15 p.m. Washington, July 30. Senator McLean, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, declares that the Republican leaders are determined to pass the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Bill before any adjournment, no matter what delays there may be. He blames the Democrats for the slow progress of the Bill through the Senate, and declared the delay was retarding a return to prosperity. Senator McLean says a hundred labor unions Jiave petitioned Congress to speed the passage of the Bill.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.