STRONG PROTEST VOICED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19503, 9 December 1937, Page 8

STRONG PROTEST VOICED

INCREASE IN TARIFFS ATTITUDE-OF FARMERS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Further increases in the cost of living were fully discussed by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand. Farmers' Union yesterday. It was recognised that local manufacturers had had their costs increased by the 40-nour week and other recent legislation, so that they found it impossible to compete with Australian and British manufacturers. An increase in the tariff would increase the prices of locally-produced articles and also of imported goods, and, further, would seriously imperil the sale of New Zealand produce in Great Britain.

It was recognised that it was impossible for the Government to discriminate against Australian importations without hitting British manufacurers. Already there was evidence of reactions at Home against New Zealand produce.

The following resolution was adopted and forwarded to the Prime Minister: "That the New Zealand Farmers' Union makes the strongest protest against any increase in customs tariff or any other method of protecting New Zealand industries which would inevitably result in an increase in the cost of living in New Zealand and prejudicing the sale of New Zealand produce in the United Kingdom.