TARIFF COMMISSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 56, 3 February 1927, Page 4

TARIFF COMMISSION.

DISCUSSION BY FARAIERS

YVELLINGTON, Feb. 3

Referring to the agenda before the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday, the president (Mr YV. J. Poison) said the item “consideration of evidence for the Tariff Commission” was sufficient for a day’s sitting. He said he failed to see any prospect of agreement between north and south on some of the principles involved. If that was so he thought it might be more advisable to leave the whole matter to the provinces to deal with the Court, and throw it on the shoulders of the commission after hearing the views of the provinces on what was a very contentious matter. Air 0. P. Lynch (Alanawatu) suggested that any subsidy given to an industry should be subject to a time limitation in order to build it up. It should be a decreasing subsidy every five years, decreasing by one-fourth until it disappeared. If an industry could not stand on its legs in ten years it was no good to the country. On the proposal of Mr E. H. Alurney (Otago), it was decided to appoint a sub-committee to go into the matter and report. The committee appointed was Captain Colbeck, Afessrs J. D. Hall, 11. D. Duxfield, E. H. Murney", YV, Alorrison, and H. B. Stuckey. Subsequently the committee made tho following report:—“That as a reduction in tariff would result in a reduction in tho cost of living, and therefore also reduce the cost tif production, we are of the opinion that a reduction should be made in all protective tariffs, provided that during the period of alteration no section of the community should he allowed to benefit at tho expense of any other, and that evidence should be given on these lines.” Tho president congratulated the committeo upon presenting a unanimous report. Mr Vicar (Hamilton) asked if they wero unanimous in the policy of gradual abolition of tariffs. Air Poison: I am not. I am a moderate protectionist. Air Vicar considered that a moderate amount of protection was necessary, and he would like the evidence to be given to be submitted to the advisory committee, of which the president would bo one, and if it was approved, he would have no objection to that evidence going forward. Air Alunro said the evidence would be prepared in accordance with, the report. The president agreed that it would be well to submit tho Dominion evidence to the advisory committee before giving it.