THE HIGH-TARIFF AGITATION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17227, 18 August 1921, Page 8

THE HIGH-TARIFF AGITATION.

A SPEECH FOR THE DEFENCE. In the course of his remarks at last night's meeting of the Canterbury Employers' Association, Mr W. J. Jenkin, ! speaking on behalf of the Industrial j Association, said the Association had i to face opposition very largely front I that class of the community who',- howj ever sincere in their beliefs, did not ! understand the manufacturing probj lem. Ho could not at the time, neither I would it be wise, attempt to deal with I any large number of the vital points 1 which arose out of national selfreliance, but he wanted to bring for* ward a few propositions which he believed to be sound in principle and applicable to this country. They were; First, that goods imported into this country, manufactured and ready for distribution, did not, and could not, add one shilling to the wealth of the Dominion; they might make individuals richer, but they left the country poorer. Second, that in these days, to a greater extent than ever before, the service problem was becoming more and more urgent. Third, that the statement that the wages value of almost any manufactured article represented from 75 per cent, to 00 per cent, of the first selling value, was now being generally admitted as correct, thus proving the necessity of employing our •' own people in the manufacture of our own raw material, retaining the money in the country. Fourth, that in promoting the industries of this or any other country, the fundamental point was that every country was entitled to its own market, for the protection of its own people. Fifth, that to ensure the progress of the Dominion and - a reasonable guarantee for continuity of employment of the people, the Do- - minion must promote industrial stabU- ' ity in every class of production. Bixtb. that it was possible to frame a fiscal policy for this country which would promote the interests o! all and injure none. The strenuous plea that had been made by free traders that protectionists expected a tariff, and would impose a heavy duty upon every class of •or- ■ tide, was absurd. There were many things which this country could no? manufacture, and for a variety of rea** an important one—the-. country did not sossess the raw material, and when it could be shown thai particular goods could not be made-in the country, and were not'likely to be made in the country, the protectionist* had no objection whatever _to such goods, speaking generally, being admit* ted free. It might be that the Government would not agree to this, as they might require a revenue to, be derived by placing a tax upon the importation of such goods. If so. that was a . revenue proposition. Exactly the same* principle applied to the primary industries. There were some foodstuffs isvported which were rightly admitted free, and did no injury whatever to tw primary section of the community, tajr cause for climatic or other reasonsJ&„ was not a practical proposition to. r ft« ■ tempt the production in this Dominion. There had recently been crndu to* through the public Press conesponoence dealing with the various phaas# „ of this subject—at the oommencemeW r at all events the argument* frti* paltry, very little, if any attempt benac made to go to the root of the subject? but there was now unmistakeable •«•. dence that tho attitude of dealing «W small and unimportant things and leaifr ing the principles unattended was new dying out, ami ho believed the peapM were beginning to see what the WW position is. ... -* Efforts had been made to try a*o show that tho people engaged in man* facturing were selfish; that they WW* woitiDg for and trying to policy which would enable them to ay plait the publio by taking full »d*M* tago of whatever extra tariff might*" imposed. To meet this, the maM»£ turing Bection of this community, SO WT as he knew, without exception, baa e3B» pressed ite approval of the P 0 control of gross profits undertfl* pa* partment of Industries and What more could bo doner w fS" every other section of the commUßiW do likewise P If they would, weshooia all get a fair deal—producers, dirtniwtors, and the public. Tr.ose were briefly the views that were held by toe **Z large majority of tho industnalisto •» this country.