HIGH TARIFFS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1927, Page 8

HIGH TARIFFS

FARMERS' OPPOSITION

NO OBJECTION TO MODERATION

(By Telejrtph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

DTJNEDIN, 7th February.

The Hon. A.D. M'Leod, Minister of Industries and, Commerce, and tbe Hon. W. D. Stewart, Acting-Prime Minister, were to-night tendered a complimentary dinner By the Manufacturers' Association. There was a large attendance of commercial, manufacturing, and farming representatives.

Speaking of the tour of inspection he had already made of local factories, Mr. M'Lcod said he could not but comment upon the cordiality and goodwill which existed between employer and employee. Hero was a personal touch in their relations which ivas a great asset to the manufacturer.

Touching upon the question of tariffs, the Minister said that, as a lifelong farmer himself, he had no hesitation in saying that the farmer did not object to moderate protection. Farmers felt with good reason, that high protection was invariably made the vehicle for high cost of living often -with high wages erroneously .fixed upon a cost of living basis instead of upon a cost of production basis. He knew farmers well enough to say that they felt less antagonism for manufacturer than they did for importers of monopolycontrolled manufacturers from oversew. lariff revision would soon come up for consideration in Parliament, and he wished to keep an open mind on the matter until evidence was produced but he would say that he was e«7e bo country which depended for its e^orte almost entirely upon the basic intwest could possibly arrive at prosperity by the erectwn of high tariff wallsfthe shortening of hours of labour, or the fixation of wages on any other basis than a value-producing one. He was convinced that the country was sound, and only needed time to set hLI T"? ln °i' der- Sacrifices would have to be made, but he^did not think the sacrifices need be very heavy if everyone shouldered his share-of the