FARMING COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21479, 1 May 1933, Page 10

FARMING COSTS

NO INVESTIGATION STATEMENT BY MR. COATES The inquiry into tariffs which tho Government proposes to hold will not bo extended to inclndo an investigation of farming costs, according to a letter from the Minister of Finance, the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, received at a meeting of tho executive of tho Canterbury Manufacturers' Association last week. Tho Minister wrote saying that tho suggestion that tho proposed inquiry into tariff mattors should be extended to cover an investigation of farming costs had been carefully considered, but ho did not think anything was to be gained by adopting the suggestion. A customs tariff provided a measure of protection for manufacturing industries, added Mr. Coates, and it was obvious that alterations could not bo made in the tariff without careful consideration of tho effects on local industries. The primary industries, however, had to sell the bulk of their produce ia tho world's markets and obtained no such protection; in fact, all tariffs tended to increase tho working costs of fanning. He had no doubt that some farms were, being conducted on an uneconomic basis, but such farms obviously coidd not carry on for long in tho face of tho present prices for primary produce. No official investigation would therefore appear to bo necessary.