SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20421, 11 February 1938, Page 9

SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

ECHO OF RECENT DEBATE FARMERS’ ATTITUDE CRITICISED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A reply to the attack on manulacturing industries made by Mr J. H. Furniss during the course of a debate with Mr Nash at Hamilton was made to-day by Mr R. u’Shea on behalf of the Manufacturers’ Federation. Mr O’Shea said national interests would be best served by a proper fostering of both farming and manufacturing interests. It was well-known that the farmer had been the pampered child of the country. Everyone admitted that the country benefited greatly from’ primary production but the primary industries had had a great deal In return. He quoted Sir Alfred Ransom's figures of a few years ago showing assistance totalling £14,383,000 from various sources, Including the raised rate of exchange, reduction of land tax and Interest on mortgages, road subsidies, assistance To local bodies, etc., and freight concessions, and said: “In the face of this colossal amount the farmer could not Justify, in the eyes of the public, his attack upon manufacturing industries which, under a heavy handicap, were doing their share for national prosperity.”