THE TARIFF.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20776, 9 February 1933, Page 13

THE TARIFF.

i OTAGO FARMERS' ADVOCACY | OF REDUCTION. MANUFACTURERS IN REPLY. [Fj«m Oca Own Riiroaijuß.] WELLINGTON, February 8. Holding that British exporters already enjoy favourable treatment in the Dominion's Customs tariff, the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association has issued a statement in reply to tho Otago Farmers' Union's advocacy of a reduction of 25 per cent, in all Customs tariffs on imports from the United Kingdom to counteract the increase in tho rati of exchange. In moving tho resolution, -Mr James liegg said t-Uat this step was necessary in order'to reduce tanning costs. "It is .i pity that responsible men," says tho statement, "should reveal themselves so ignorant of tacts or so reckless m disregarding them. Otago laimers should know that the existing tariff was expressly designed to admit duty tree 98 per cent, of the British imports which are used in farming. The raising of the exchange will undoubtedly increase the cost of imports used for farming, but as those imports are already froo of Customs duty, the suggestion is absurd that the duties should be reduced in order to reduce farming costs. "Mr 13egg and the Farmers' Union," continues the statement, "would bo wise to make sure that they arc not being used merely as tools by importing and other middlemen's interests. New Zealand farmers and manufacturers should stand .together us being alike producers and not allow the propaganda of importers and inicldlemon to drive a wedge het\Veen them. The fact is that British manufacturers already <«njoy in _ New Zealand more favourable conditions than in any other Dominion, and, indeed, the preference over foreigners which British manufacturers receive in New Zealand is greater than the preference they receive in Great Britain itself. We understand that at Ottawa the British delegates declared emphatically that they were abundantly satisfied with the treatment already accorded to Great Britain by the New Zealand tariff, and they could not conscientiously ask for anything further, except a ff'w trifling readjustments. "In view of these facts, ("a) that farming costs arj not affected bv the tariff; and (b) that British exporters alreadv enjoy such exceedingly favourable conditions in New Zealand, it is not fair or reasonable at the present time for farmers who have themselves just received a bonus of 25 per cent, to launch an attack upon their fellowproducers, the manufacturers, who are struggling with difficulties almost equal to those of .the farmers themselves."