REVISION OF TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19557, 9 February 1927, Page 14

REVISION OF TARIFF.

PRODUCERS AND. PROTECTION MINISTER ADVISES DIPLOMACY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Tuesday. At a complimentary dinner to the Hon. Downie Stewart and the Hon. A. D. McLeod, tendered by the Manufacturers' Association, both Ministers referred to tariff revision.

Mr. McLeod said that while keeping an open inind he felt no country which depended for exports almost entirely upon one basic industry could bring about prosperity by tho erection of high tariff walls, shortening the hours of labour, or fixing wages ou any other basis than a valueproducing one. While the great basic exporting industry remained in a depressed condition, as to-day, there could be no real prosperity for local manufacturers or workers.

As a life-long farmer himself, and constantly coming into touch with primary producers, he had no hesitation in saying that, generally speaking, farmers did" not object to, but rathci approved of, moderate protection. What farmers felt was that high protection ' was, invariably, in these days made the vehicle for a high cost of living, often with high wages erroneously fixed upon the cost of living basis. At another stage of his address Mr. McLeod said he was no pessimist, but this country could not go on,importing motors, benzine and accessories to the "value of £7.000,000. Mr. Stewart advised manufacturers to move with the utmost caution. In spite of what Mr. McLeod said about farmers being moderately protectionist, he was afraid they would eye askance any rash move on the part of manufacturers. Hence he advised them to resort to diplomacy rather than to a trial of strength. In reference to Northern criticism of the trade treaty with the Commonwealth, the figures showed that exports generally had increased, but in the case of items for which special concessions were obtained from Australia, the increase was most striking. The total, value of these exports rose from an average of £46,110 prior to the agreement, to £284.979 in 1924: £136,732 in 1925: and £418.087 for eleven months in 1926. or £456,095 for the complete year. The figures for 1926 showed there had been a decrease in importation of manufactured qoods from Australia approximating £2,000.000, a decrease of 10 per cent.

COMMISSION AT OHAKUN3. STATE OF TIMBER INDUSTRY. [BY TELEGKAFII. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OHAKUXE. Tuesday. By special arrangement, the members of the Tariff Revision Committee were interviewed at Ohakune this morning by delegates of the New Zealand Timber Industry Advancement League. Evidence, in connection with the present state of the industry was placed before the commission.

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