“HONOURS EVEN”

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 11

“HONOURS EVEN”

CONTROVERSY OVER TARIFF. MR. W. J. POLSON’S HOPE. Hope that the controversy between the primary producers and the New Zealand manufacturers over the tariff position had ended with the passing of the resolutions was expressed by Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., president of the Farmers’ Union, at the meeting of the Dominion executive of the union. “We have succeeded this time in getting quite definite concessions in the tariff, although not as substantial in many respects as we would wish, and in spite of the tremendous fight put up by the manufacturers since the first resolutions came down in the House, no substantial difference in their favour has been made,” said Mr. Polson. “I think the honours are about even. The tariff question is out of the way, and will be out of the way for two or three years. I want to suggest that we should now say to the manufacturers, ‘We have had a good fight. You have been standing up for your principles, and we for ours. The question is settled. Let us now pull together in some other important things that affect the welfare of the Dominion.’ I have already made that gesture in the House . . . Now the fight is over we don’t bear them any ill will at all, but hope that we will be able to join with them in advancing those things that are for the’ benefit of the country as a whole, until the next fight comes along and we hope we may have better luck when it does.” One direction in which the two sections of the community could co-oj>erate was in connection with the proposed supply of free milk to schoolchildren in the cities and towns, Mr. Polson continued. The scheme would admittedly be helpful in disposing of surplus milk, but its greater appeal lay in the undoubted benefit that wduld accrue as to the health of the children, as had been amply demonstrated in those cases where the milk ration had been issued. The manufacturers were interested and were prepared to help to the full, even to giving financial assistance, if necessary. Mr. Polson said that personally he was gratified to them for their pub-lic-spirited attitude on the question. He wished to make it quite clear that the scheme was not his, and he was not entitled to any credit for it. The idea had been originated in Wellington by the Smith Family, and the credit must go to that organisation. The executive pledged its suppdrt to the scheme.