CONCESSIONS TD FARMERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13093, 5 June 1913, Page 8

CONCESSIONS TD FARMERS.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Several matters which were the subject ot discussion at the Farmers' Union Conference in Auckland were brought under the notice of the. Prime Minister to-day by a deputation from the Union. Tho first request was made by Mr McCutcheon, who asked for an amendment of, the tariff so as to abolish tlie present 20 per cent, duty on iron fencin •• posts. He urged that it was unfair to tax farmers for every mile of fenciiyr. Mr -McCutchcon expressed " the opini en that it was anomalous to admit motor car parts, fancy goods and -'haberdashery duty free, and burden the farmer with a, <iuty on fencing materials. ' • A repeal of the Agricultural Implements Sales Act was requested by Capt. Colbeck, who asked that farming machinery should be placed on the free list.. The same speaker said the Union was' opposed to tlie suggested increase in the duty on. boots- and shoes, and expressed the hope that the Government would not be induced to put #n export duty on hides, and, further, asked for a removal of tlie duty on. steam rollers. A protest against differential; rating on the railways was made by Mr L-uxfield. Tn connection with the Board of Agriculture, the deputation'' asked -that '-representatives might be selected • from the Farmers' Union. - • ' In reply,' the Primp Minister -said that wire being free of duty, he "thought it only right that iron posts should, also be free. ."He would ! give: 'Parliament an opportunity of making it' free.. The Government intended, during : , the, coming session, to ask Parliament. 'to .do .away with a .number. of anomalies> in the tariff. There was no indention of asking 'for authority to -impose an export duty on hides. As regard steam rollers, Mr -Massey said they' should undoubtedly be free of duty. Regarding the suggestion that duties on boots and shoes should be raised, Mr Massey said he did not think ; the Government would be inclined to increase any duties. The question of. differentiation in railway rating should, Mr Massey promised, be one of the very first matters referred to the new general manager"' on his arrival in about, three: months' .time. , _ The Prime Minister, replying to thei request . regarding the representation, on the proposed Board- of > Agriculture,, said j he would look into the question and. see ■ if 'he could give the Farmers' Union representation on the Board. i