TARIFF POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 117, 20 May 1931, Page 8

TARIFF POLICY.

MR. MASSEY CHALLENGED. INTERJECTIONS AT PAPATOETOE. Tariff problems involved Mr. W. W. Massey, Reform candidate for the Hauraki seat, in some exchanges with members of the audience at a Papatoetoe meeting last evening. He was'first challenged on the question of wheat duties by one of his hearers, who urged the need of a reduction. "Yes, I agree, as a North Island farmer, the wheat duties want reducing," replied the candidate. This did not satisfy the interjector. He contended that as wages were being reduced now immediate action should be taken to revise the duties on wheat and flour. "Yes, they should be revised at the earliest opportunity," Mr. Massey agreed. Mr. Massey made it clear that he was in conflict with. the Country party on tariff policy.. He said that the 10 per cent reduction in the tariffs, which that party proposed, would be disastrous. He believed in gradually easing the tariffs, with the idea of working towards preferential duties 'within the Empire; and supported his argument by reference to the Russian invasion of the dairy produce market in Great Britain. A \ oice: You want to shut Russian butter out so that you can get more for" your own. Mr. Massey: We are part of the great British Empire, and our first, duty is to protect the Empire. Other points in Mr. Massey's address were his expressed opposition to the importation of chilled eggs, his support for a "vigorous land settlement policy," and the derating of farm lands. Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P. for Franklin, who appeared to support-the candidate, was challenged during his address on Reform's attitude to the wages "cut." An interjector said: "The Civil servants have had an liiShman's rise, and you helped them to get it." (Laughter.). At the conclusion of the meeting, over which' Mr.. W. J. Nicholson presided, the speakers were accorded a vote of thanks.