TARIFF QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1929, Page 12

TARIFF QUESTION

A FARMERS' DEBATE

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "Tha Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

The ancient argument between Free Trade and Protection is to be revived under new and somewhat unusual auspices, when the score of gentlemen— mostly representing the agricultural interests—who compose the Manawatu A. and P. Association's committee will at then- next meeting put on a full dress debate.

This proposed debate was decided upon at yesterday's meeting as the outcomo of an . appeal from the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom. The letter covered the copy of a resolution adopted by tho International Shipping Conference in 102S, after dealing with the reports of the World Economic Conference of 1927 and considering the work of the League of Nations, International Chambers of Commerce, and other bodies in this connection.

The resolution is to the' effect that the conference, representing the .carriers of tho bulk of the cargoes which form international trade, recognised the reaction of trade barriers upon primary production and the consequent effect in restricting the export of the articles involved and therefore urged that increased care should be taken to assist in the maintenance of an equitable balance between industry and agriculture, and not to stifle one to the advantage- of the other. Further, that unless steps can be taken to reduce barrier obstacles to trade and prevent the introduction of new tariffs, a situ-' atiou will develop where primary production will diminish. With such an event a diminution of manufactures must follow and all parties will be automatically the poorer.