COUNTRY SUFFERS IF IMPORTS BLOCKED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 260, 30 July 1937, Page 13

COUNTRY SUFFERS IF IMPORTS BLOCKED

« Increase a Good Sign, Not a Catastrophe FARMERS’ LEADER REPLIES TO MANUFACTURERS “The Farmers’ Union has considerable sympathy with the plight in which the Manufacturers’ Federation turn themselves, as the same conditions which are causing their difficulties are also causing difficulties to the primary producers,’’ said Mr. W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, referring to the manufacturers’ statements in regard to the position of their industries. “It is obvious, however, that an attempt is being made to create an atmosphere favourable to an attempt for increased tariff protection. Any increase of tariffs cannot shut out imports which we receive in payment for our exports, but will increase the internal prices for these goods at the expense of the exporting industries. “Apparently the Manufacturers federation are sympathetically endeavouring t.o create an atmosphere pending the return of Ministers who have been abroad, and statements drawing attention to the increase in imports have been made at intervals in the chiet centres of the Dominion. They appear to be horrified at what, they call the ‘flood of imports’ coming into the country, and the tone of their statements would lead one to believe that this flood of wealth was a catastrophe. “On the contrary, however, it is the ■ result of our great good fortune in that Nature has bestowed on us such a bountiful season, and in that at the same time the world has paid us satisfactory prices for some of our production for which we had no use. In payment for this, to us, useless produce, the world has sent us many things for which we have use and can enjoy. "The handling and distribution of these things will give employment to thousands who in turn will give employment to other thousands, so creating prosperity in which even the manufacturers will, share, while if they succeed in denying to the people the use of the wealth they have produced they will also impoverish' themselves. “The people of New Zealand cannot share the horror of the manufacturers at this flood of wealth pouring into the country from the rest of the world. They realise that if it is shut out they cannot get payment for their surplus products which would be of no more use to them than if they were tipped into the sea. “We would suggest that the Manufacturers’ Federation should seek for a .remedy that will not conflict with other important sections of the community. Any scheme for decreasing imports must result in unemployment in New Zealand and is probably best commented on by reminding the Manufacturers’ Federation that when our went down to £23,000,000 our unemployment in New Zealand was at its peak." “CRUSHING REPLY” Mi\ Fraser Congratulates ’ Mr. Sullivan "I want publicly to congratulate the Minister of Industries and Commerce upon big crushing reply to the manufacturers’ statement which was issued in such pad taste yesterday morning," said the Minister of Health, Hon. p. Fraser, when speaking at the Labour Party’s reception to the Prime Minister. Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, yesterday, “I cannot think it was simply a coincidence that on the morning of the Prime Minister’s return there should appear in the newspapers statements unsupported by facts and published under double column headings which were obviously carefully arranged and In some instances appearing on the newspaper placards," said Mr. Fraser. . “Th e reply of the Minister of Indus' tries and Commerce, issued with commendable speed and efficiency, was adequate, complete and crushing.”