Farmers’ Union Challenge

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 186, 4 May 1933, Page 11

Farmers’ Union Challenge

Sir, —Air. A. E. Robinson, secretary of the Farmers’ Union (Auckland branch) lias written to the Press declaring that ‘ if the Alanufacturers’ Association is prepared to forgo all benefits received from the State through tiie Customs tariff and in other ways,” his executive “will answer for the farmers that they will do likewise.” Air. Robinson is apparently unaware that benefit from the Customs tariff is received, not from the State, but by the State—£B,B97,ooo iu the year 1930, and £5,904,000 in tiie year 1931, iu Hie form of revenue which, if the tariff were abolished, would, have to lie obtained by some other means, such as the increase of sales tax to 4/- in the £. As regards the "challenge,” we regret that we cannot take seriously any assertion by the secretary of tiie Auckland branch of the Farmers’ Union that his branch executive can “answer” for the farmers of New Zealand. In any case, the New Zealand Alanufacturers’ Federation holds that the question of the tariff is one of general national interest, not to b e settled by any bargain between two sections, but thoroughly investigated, and determined on national not sectional lines in the interests of the people as a whole. —I am, etc. A. E. AIANDER. Gen. Secretary, ,N.Z. Alanufacturers’ Federation. Wellington, Alay 3.