NOT POLITICAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 8

NOT POLITICAL

An emphatic refusal to allow party politics to intrude in Fanners' Union discussions was made by Mr. Hugh Morrison, president of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Union. At the .same time Mr. Morrison affirmed with equal emphasis the right of the farmers' or-

ganisation to exprecs opinions on economic questions. The particular subject under discussion was the new tariff on footwear and , the possibility of this adversely affecting the British market for New Zealand primary products. We think that this is a subject on which the opinion of fanners should be heard. To suggest that it is a party question which must be avoided is. quite wrong. Acceptance of that plea would mean that none of the parties interested— whether manufacturers, importers, retailers, or users of protected goods —would be able to express an opinion except through a political party. Manufacturers and retailers have already given their views, the manufacturers in favour of the duty and a section of retailers against it. Yet no one has questioned their right to do so, or suggested that they have become involved in party politics. It is essential for the reasonable settlement oi. this tariff issue that, as far as possible, it should be considered on non-party lines. Only thus can all interests be heard and the correct balance, which Mr. Morrison urged, be found between primary industry and manufacturing.