New Zealand First.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20361, 19 July 1934, Page 8

New Zealand First.

Mr Howard’s Advice on Tariff Issue.

(“Star ” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 19. that New Zealand in framing its tariff policy should think in terms of New Zealand and nothing else, Mr Howard (Christchurch South) launched an attack upon the Government’s fiscal policy when the House was discussing the report of the Tariff Commission yesterday. Mr Howard said it was questionable whether the dairying and sheep industries, on Mr Poison's arguments, were economic. Would Mr Poison say that dairying was an economic industry? Mr Poison: Yes, because it can compete. Mr Howard: But not without assistance. That is the point. Fears of war had recently enhanced wool values, said Mr Howard, but he still doubted whether sheep farming was an economic industry *on the prices which ruled previously.

Mr Howard said he* was looking for the time when the Ottawa policy was reversed, and New Zealand was placed first, before any other country. Unless the “ New Zealand first ” point of view were embraced, the country would be left in the lurch. The Dominion had remarkable possibilities if its leaders would only plan and undertake development, with the requirements of New Zealand taking precedence. “ Don’t get it in your own country ” was the advice of economists, whom he described as witch doctors. This was contrary to the dictates of science and the existence of raw materials at hand. Put Over It Badly.

The whole trouble over the present tariff could be traced to the mistake made at Ottawa, when New Zealand had it “ put over it badly.” H 6 had received dozens of letters from men stating they would be thrown out of employment through the latest alteration to the schedule. The industries mentioned included nails, ranges and radio sets. There was nothing required cn radio sets that could not be manufactured in New Zealand. The motor-car bodyindustry woulfl now cease, and so on down the list of items which were now permitted to enter duty free and put New Zealanders out of employment. It would be laughable, if not a tragedy now, to recall the Unemployment Board’s decision to grant a quarter of a million towards boosting secondary industries in the Dominion. Men of vision among the farmers should realise that the best market for their primary produce was New Zealand itself.

Mr Howard predicted that as a result of New Zealand’s tariff policy ships would hardly be large enough to transport the able-bodied men who would be keen to leave for Australia.