‘BENDS WITH EVERY WIND'

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1927, Page 7

‘BENDS WITH EVERY WIND'

GOVERNMENT & FARMERS TARIFFS uND PRODUCTION NO STATESMANSHIP SHOWN (By Wire—Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. The effect of the new Customs tariff upon the farming industry was discussed by the Auckland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union this evening. A motion entering an emphatic protest against the Government’s ruthless sacrifice of the export farming industries, in that by the’ recent tariff' amendments the cost of production had been materially raised, was carried. Mr. R. IL Fist, who proposed the motion, said that the farming industry, already staggering under, the cost of production, had received a further blowthrough the new tariff. He supplemented his motion with the words “and notes with dismay the Government’s rejection of the representations, which have been made.by the farmers, calling for a progressive reduction in the, iniquitous and oppressive taxation levied through the protective duties.” Mr. H. M. Rushworth, saying that there had never been any doubt about farmers’ sentiments on tariff protection, declared that the primary producers would not forget that the Government bad increased the cost of production at a time when it had the power to decrease it.

“it is a Government as. discredited as any Government has ever been,” said Mr. Rush worth, “it is accused by its foes and friends alike. It has broken its pledges.” Mr. W» H. Allen: I agree with every word that has been said. No statesmanship was displayed by the Government in the framing of the tariff, said Mr. A. A. Ross. It gave no lead and it bent with every wind that blew once its proposals were tabled. “I propose we all preach the gospel of ‘Do not buy protected goods,’” said Mr. F. Coibeck. "I am serious, for if all the farmers would do that it would have some effect.” The motion was carried.