IMPORTS FROM HOME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 February 1933, Page 4

IMPORTS FROM HOME

REPLY TO OTAGO FARMERS MANUFACTURERS’ VIEWS The following statement has been issued by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation: — The Otago Farmers’ Union is :e----ported as having advocated a redu*tion of 25 per cent, in all Oust '.ms tariffs on imports from '-ho Umtvi Kingdom to counteract the increase in rate of exchange. In moving the resolution, Mr James Begg said that this step was necessary in order to reduce farming costs. It is a pity that responsible men should reveal themselves so ignorant of the facts or so reckless in disregarding them. Surely the Otago farmers sliomd know that the existing tariff was expressly designed to admit duty free 98 per cent, of British imports which are used in farming. The raising of exchange will undoubtedly increase the cost of imports used for farming; but as these imports are already free of Customs duty, the suggestion is absurd that duties should be reduced in order to reduce farming costs. . Mr Begg. and the Farmers Union would be wise to make sure that they are not being used merely as tools by importing and other middlemen’s interests. New Zealand farmers and manufacturers should stand together as being alike producers, _ and not allow the propaganda of importers and middlemen to, drive a wedge between them. The fact is that British manufacturers already enjoy in New Zealand more favourable conditions than in any other Dominion; and indeed the preference over foreigners _ which British manufacturers receive in New Zealand is greater than the preference they receive in Britain itself. Wo understood that at Ottawa the British delegates declared emphatically that they were abundantly satisfied with the treatment already accorded to Britain by the New Zealand tariff, .and they could not conscientiously ask for anything further except a few trifling readjustments. In view of these facts —(a) that farming costs are not affected by the tariff, and (b) that British exporters already enjoy such exceedingly favourable conditions in New Zealand —it is not fair or reasonable at the present time for farmers, who have themselves just received a bonus of 25 per cent., to launch an attack upon their fellow-producers, tlio manufacturers, who are struggling with difficulties almost equal to those of the farmers themselves.