TARIFF REFORM

Evening Star, Issue 20193, 5 June 1929, Page 13

TARIFF REFORM

WHICH INDUSTRIES SHOULD BE PROTECTED ? “ A DIFFICULT QUESTION ” The question of tariff reform was discussed at yesterday afternoon’s sitting of the Farmers’ Union conference. The remit which gave rise to the topic read: “ That the resolution of the dominion conference asking that a Royal Commission be set up to inquire into tho whole matter of tariff reform should bo brought before Cabinet this session.” Air F. Waite, AI.P., stated that it was a difficult question, and people with no definite ideas on the subject frequently thought they could supply an easy solution. People with a great deal of experience, however, realised that they must try out each case on its own particular merits. It was fully recognised that they could not have primary industries only; they must have full international life. Some industries like wheat growing, coal mining, and the manufacture of .woollen goods should have protection, because in such cases they must employ all the pcoph they could. However’, a real protective tariff would be prohibitive. In-the case of timber farmers might get into a difficulty if a high tariff interfered with their getting imported boxes or crates when they were in demand. The fact was, however, that it had not been decided yet what industries should be protected and to what extent they should be protected. Australia had been inquiring for year’s into this matter, and tho British Economic Commission said that the whole thing should be investigated. It was indeed a difficult matter to find out which industries should be protected an 1 which should not, for, naturally, every man was biassed in some way or other. In the discussion which followed the majority of the members of the union expressed themselves as being in agreement with Afr AA 7 aite, t Air W. J. AFKcnzie staled that Royal Commissions were a heavy expense to the taxpayer, and since nothing ever came of them he thought they should save time and money bv dropping the remit. It is only by working away at such matters that we can make any proRt’css,” declared the chairman CAIr D. AFC. RcicH. ’I be remit was carried,