FREE TRADE WITH ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1923, Page 6

FREE TRADE WITH ENGLAND.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—There seems to be considerable anxiety re the drift of farmers to the towns. I believe the sole cause of the trouble to be protected industries. It seems strange to me that the leading men in'the Farmers’ Union have not advocated free trade with England. It seems remarkable that England, being our best customer—practically our only one—that we should tax her goods. About twenty years ago sixty per eent. of the people were on the land and forty in the towns. Now the position is nearly reversed, fifty-six in the towns against forty-four o/i the land, and as the farmer finds all the money, the load is too heavy. Hence the drift to the towns. Customs duties is the most unjust form of taxation that was ever devised. The man with the most children pays most, ’even although he owns no property. Trusting the Farmers’ I nion will advocate free trade with England,—l am, etc., LEONARD HILL. Carrington Road. December 18.