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Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 43, 31 May 1935, Page 6

that has caused unemployment and poverty.

I know that figures can be made to say anything, but my figures sustain my contention that an injustice is being perpetrated on the consumers by-fining them for daring to buy what .suits their tastes and pockets, an injustice which no, words or figures can explain away.i It is here for all to see and feel.

It was stated pointedly that the manufacturers of New Zealand did not squeal or run to the Government for, subsidies, etc. Listen to this from Hansard, August 24, 1934: "Mr Harris: 'Numerous representations have been made to the Minister of Customs and to members generally. We have all been inundated with representations, as always happens, of course, when a tariff revision is being considered.'" ■ This hi spite of the fact that the industries had been in receipt of the false exchange rate to the tune of an extra 25 per cent, barrier. Tariff mongering means corruption df Government; it can carry us in no other direction. I know very well that manufacturers do not put on tariffs because they want to rook' the public in the first instance, nor do they all do it for that reason after they become hardened to it, but because the main burden makes business impossible without assistance from the many.

It is the speculative land rent which is the cause of tariffs, as it is the cause of unemployment and poverty. Nevertheless, that is no reason for one section of the people to batten themselves 'on the other section; it is their duty to remove the main burden in order to make business profitable without • • such tariffs. In the meantime, women and children go short, and men badly clothed, houses are built of secondgrade timber, and cheap furniture, while special privilege runs riot.—l am, etc., ."■_.,

E. W. NICOLAUS,