THE TARIFF QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 31

THE TARIFF QUESTION.

EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION’S POLICY. OUTLINED BY SECRETARY. WELLINGTON, February 1. The policy of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation in regard to the tariff question was made clear in a statement issued this afternoon by the secretary of the federation (Mr T. O. Bishop). “Recently,” said Mr Bishop, "there hava been severalreferences in the press to the alleged attitude of the Employers’ Federation on the tariff question, and in case there should be any misunderstanding, 1 think it desirable that the policy of tha federation should be clearly stated. Tha Employers’ Federation exists for the purpose of dealing with all phases of the relationship between employers and employees, and eating for the common interests of the employers as such. Many of our members are manufacturers who favour protective duties. Many are importers who lean toward free trade, and there are many others whose interests are those of the general public. It is, therefore, impossible that the organisation could take any action in regard to tariff questions, and, in any case, such questions are outside the scope of our activities.” FAVOURED BY FARMERS. WELLINGTON, February 2. The attitude of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was defined today towards the Tariff Commission. Mr E. P. _ Lynch (Manawatu) suggested that any subsidy given to an industry should be subject to a true limitation in order to build it up. It should be a decreasing subsidy, every five years decreasing by onefourth until it disappeared. If an industry could not stand on its legs in 10 years it was no good to the country. On the proposal of Mr E. H. Murney (Otago) it was decided to appoint a subcommittee to go into the matter and report. The committee appointed was Captain Colbeck, Messrs J. D. Hall. R. D. Dusfield, E. H. Murney, W. Morrison, and H. B. Storey. Subsequently the committee made the following report: — “That as a reduction in tariff would result in a reduction in the cost of living, and, therefore, also reduce the cost of 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 be allowed to benefit at the expense of any other, and that evidence should be given on these lines.” ■ The President, congratulated the committee upon presenting a unanimous report. Mr Vicar (Hamilton) asked if they were unanimous in the policy of the gradual abolition of tariffs. Mr Polson : I am not. I am a moderate; protectionist. Mr Vicar considered that a moderate amount of protection was necessary, and he would like the evidence to be given to be to the Advisory Committee of which the president would be one, and if it were approved he would have no objection to that evidence going forward. Mr Munro said the evidence would be prepared in accordance with the report. The president agreed that it would ba well to submit, the Dominion evidence to the Advisory Committee before giving it. The Advisory Committee is to meet tomorrow morning ’ when tho evidence will be perused by it.