TARIFF CONTROVERSY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17316, 30 November 1921, Page 7

TARIFF CONTROVERSY.

WARMTH AT A PROTECTIONIST MEETING. ATTACK UPON "THE PEESfl.'* Some strong comment on a leader which appeared in "The Press" y<*terrl.iv morning was' mado at last night s meeting of the executive of the Canterbuiy Industrial Association. mo Render, which was beaded "Explanations Wanted," was a request for reasons for the new tariff duties and the "anti-dumping" legislation proposed by tho Government. Incidentally the statistics of boot importations were discussed, and reference was made to tho declaration by Mr Barber that he asked for tho application of the general tariff (i.0.. the tariff against foreign countries) to British goods, even though those goods might not bo "dumped." Mr Barber is the head of & big woollen manufacturing company, and no mado his request as a member of a manufacturers' deputation which •waited on the Hou. E. P. Lee on Friday last. The president, Mr W. J. Jenkin, said that not long ago, in that room, he had said that he would not reply to arguments appearing in the newspapers wliile he was engaged on tho tariff business, but that morning a leader had appeared in "The Press" whioh ho must refer to. The speaker said that ho did like cricket, but ho did not think the remarks which had fallen from tho Editor of "The Press" lately were crioket. He then moved a lengthy resolution protesting against the editorial. Mr H. Willis seconded the resolution pro forma, but suggosted that the resolution be condensed, somewhat. In reply to a question, Mr Frostick said that the gentleman who made the remarks was a wholesaler, and not a retailer. It did not seem to be quite playing the game on the part of the newspaper, especially at tne present juncture, The report of tho meeting held ou November 7th showed the attitude of the Association on the matter. It did not 6oem fair that those who wrote to the papers, or editors, should accept one statement made in Wellington as one df candour, while the Association's statement was looked upon as one of untruth. It cast a reflection on the Canterbury Industrial Association,, whioh had proved its loyalty to the Mother Country, and had no wish to place Britain under the Australian tariff. They were justified, as .an Association, in resenting the suggestion that the Association had no more feeling, for the Mother Country than for a foreign oountry. They were as loyal in trade matters as any other part of the Empire, Mr H. R. Best said that the leader was a slur on. the Association, in view of the resolution passed on November 7tfc.

Mr J. A. Black expressed himself as in accord with the spirit of the resolution, but thought it should be modified, i Mil I, Woolf said that it was quite right for' them to kiok when they had cause, ■ but he thought they ooula take ■ tbe Press too seriously. . Mr R. H. Wilson said .that, as one of toe delegates which waited upon the Hon, E. ,P. Lee when Mr Barber made bis remarks, he was of the opinion that th« delegates were taken bv surprise. The Hon. Mr Lee asked Mr Barber : What are you asking for? For the • Australian regulations in regard to j antidumping P" Mr Barber had re- ■ plied in the affirmative and added that i he thought it was a fair thing. Mr : 1 Barber had instanced cases in which ' New 'Zealand tariff was lo per cent. lQwer against Britain than that placed Britain by Australia. The presi- ; Corporation had interjected 'that was a new aspect In fair- , JWjs to Mr Barber, continued Mr Wil-, ho. should say that that gentleman i . had been taken by surprise. The; . speaker considered that the chairman . »;Was not. sound in the attitude ho had | ' taken up.. The Association should take challenge for the sake' of ob» graining publicity, Where there was a S-if.aiffercnpe of opinion it was their duty pgto. point out their side of the question tf-'M (vigorously as any editor. JJr .Tonkin said that they did not to haul down their colours and not be afraid to strike with ."'.the gloves off. In the war they bad 'to. adopt the, enemy's methM#, but. had had to do it in the end. •?'v Mr G. White: We repent of that if HOW. ■ * . Frostick said that if anti-dump* %'*»g wag the subject under discussion, thei motion of Mr J. A. Black, tonkin, Frostick, and Wilson .appbinted:a sub-comniittee to reresolution. '• &%Spe. itolutkm .adopted was u fol. exeoutive notes with consurprise the leader in the "Pwsa" this morning, the-heading • of "Explanations '.! The editorial commends •Mf||%it; terms, the "candour" of Mr # ; In. asking that the Australian S§llfflfffij!H<>«ld be copied and made. to . in New Zealand as against Great ; Whilpt the Canterbury IndusAttbciation has expressed itself as with the original tariff jjjtyjjoyls as laid before Parliament, it , ;.;h<B 'distinctly stated that it offers no objection to column number one. Preferential Tariff," wias made to apply to Great gS.Brittin ; only. • From that position the Msbriatlon' has never receded. Mr ?► * his opinion regarding 'v t dumping and anti-durapins, a subject i altogether different from that referred / the article. The Canterbury Asj " .doos not question the right i" ■of editors of newspapers, or of any i l^WiK}r''iperSt>n,M' to battle for free trade, 'f but it is a very poor case that cannot | >bo won on its own merits. There is, jui explanation—the editor \£«yidoiitly wrote on incomplete informajßra. The Association suggests that he "..obtains full evidence of what took place - the interview referred to, and WF? 4 one 80 should act justly by the JUHmciation and withdraw the inference , s*§Hfcon it by the article objected to.