TOWN. V. COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 9

TOWN. V. COUNTRY

MANUFACTURERS ASSAILED

FARMERS' VIEWPOINT

(Special'to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day. The town- v, country controversy which has been fanned to a flame again by recent utterances from prominent representatives of both interests, was the subject of. a brief but pointed discussion at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington provincial executive of the Farmers' Union.

The president, Mr. Lloyd Hammond, said it was to be regretted that the issue had been raised and he blamed the Manufacturers' Association for seeking to create a diversion between interests which were closely allied. One was dependent upon the other, and ho could not understand the- Manufacturers' Association for failing to appreciate this very, important point, for without the farming industry there would be no Manufacturers' Association. The whole of the manufacturing business in. this Dominion was absolutely dependent upon - the farmer. Surely it was in the interests of the Manufacturers' Association to see the farming industry flourish, for all manufacturers would derive benefit, from such a state of affairs. If, on the other hand, farmers could not carry on it would result in the extinction^ of all manufacturing operations. They, the manufacturing interests, were the last people to come out and make a noise about" the assistance accorded the, farming industry by the Government. It was a pity that the manufacturing interests, did not realise that the help accorded to farming industry was indirectly a help to them. They wero most short-sighted. Further, they had altogether ignored the very costly protection afforded them by the Government at .the expense of the whole of the people. That protection largely came from the farmers whom the Manufacturers' Association had presumed to criticise. It ill becomes such an organisation to start throwing stones when vitally necessary assistance had, been accorded an industry which provided 96 per cent of the wealth of the country.

The Domiiiion secretary's reply to the Manufacturers' Association was read to tho meeting which endorsed the views expressed. On the motion of Messrs. G. L. Marshall and D. Scott, it was agreed to offer congratulations to Colonel Pow for the preparation. of a statement which "completely refuted the^unfounded suggestions of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association." J