TARIFF INCREASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22972, 25 February 1938, Page 15

TARIFF INCREASES

"SHIFTING BURDEN" ATTITUDE OF FARMERS STATEMENT BY THE UNION [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday At the meeting of the Dominion executive of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union this week it was resolved that tho following statement drawn up by tho Mid-Canterbury provincial executive of the union bo published as expressing tho union's attitude in opposing increases in tariffs:— "The union appreciates tho difficulties which the secondary industries are working under owing to the new legislation, but wishes to point out that all exporters are operating under similar disabilities and considers that if tho •load is lifted from the secondary industries, by means of increased tariffs, which entails a further rise in the cost of living, tho whole of the burden will eventually rest on the shoulders of the primary producer. "The union further considers that the proposed relief could only bo a .temporary expedient owing to the fact that an increase in tariffs would make application for further increases in wages inevitable, owing to the rise in the cost of living, and in a year's time the secondary industries would bo in exactly the same position as regards margin of profit as they are to-day. "This union also desires to emphasise tbe fact that from the days of the early pioneer it has consistently striven to retain tho goodwill of tho public of Great Britain, and considers that that asset will be jeopardised by tariff piled on tariff, as witness tho boycott of Australian goods last year by the North of England and the recent cablegram anouncing the High Commissioner's effort to extend trade in that region being frustrated by the leakage of our Government's intention to raise our tariff wall.

"The contention that as our duties aro lower and we import per capita a larger quantity of British goods than any other Dominion, we are justified in increasing the duties completely ignores the fact that our exports per capita to the Mother Country very greatly exceed that of any other Dominion."

GOODS FROM AUSTRALIA PROTEST AGAINST IMPOST [by telegraph—press association] WELLINGTON, Thursday The Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to-day passed the following resolution:— "The union, on behalf of the farmers of New Zealand, protests in the strongest possible terms against any increase in the Customs tariff against Australian goods, as any such tariff increase must result in every section of the community paying higher prices for both imported and locally-manu-factured goods. "This increase in the cost of living will very seriously affect the farmer, as it will increase farm costs in respect to such articles as wire netting and galvanised iron. It will automatically decrease the guaranteed price for dairy and' other produce, and will throw out of balance all adjustments made by the mortgage adjustment commissions."