Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-01-28
A VOICE FROM AUSTRALIA.
The Farmers of the AntipOdes Look Into
the. Subject of II Tariff.

branch of the Victorian Farmers Pro-
lection association, on the Goth ult., the
president said that they had to consider
the advisability or otherwise Of winding
MP the branch. His opinion was that
farmers had not profited much by pro-
lection so far, and he thought that they
should try free trade. Mr. w. Peterlng
moved. and Mr. Cox (Borung) seconded
that the Minyip branch of the Victorian
Farmers Protection association be
wound up. 1t was the only branch that
remained. he believed. in the colony.
When they formed upon fresh basis he
would rejoin them. Counselor Cox said
he regretted that they had to give in.
but their political platform did not repre-
sent the views of the majority of farm
ers. Farmers had long ceased to take
any interest in the proceedings OF the
branch.
The first society established in Minyip
was the Progressive association. 1t was
formed on Il free trade basis and for Il
long time it nourished and the district
advanced by bounds. The town expand
ed under it's energetic guidance. but
protection crept in, discussions occurred
and it collapsed He was always free
trader. but was ever ready to act with
others for the advancement Of the dis
trict up to Il certain point but when 1t
came to putting tax on all articles
farmers required and giving them in re-
turn no equivalent. he thought it was
time for "A change. 1t was quite true
that if new industry were started under
protection with heavy bounty wages at
first were high. because there were few
worlmen who understood it, but it was
only temporary state OF things and
even if wages were higher the purchas-
Ing power of money WAS very different.
Undoubtedly early protection. by rails
ing prices all around-even if it in
creased wages-decreased the purchas-
ing power, and therefore failing any rise
in wages. it must be a positive injury
The market for Australian farmers was
England. where they had to face the
keenest competition. In the early days
Of protection they were told that 1t was
only to start their young industries. That
was the cry over twenty years ago. lie
did not know of Il single industry since
that time which had cast aside its crutch-
es and could go alone Not satisfied with
an increased percentage upon plows. har-
rows, ETC.. the agricultural implement
makers had asked for an ad valorein
duty of 35 per cent. on thrashers. horse
works, strippers, reapers and binders and
a number Of other articles required by
farmers. Protection. once established.
never moderated its demands.
That unflinching champion of free
trade. Mr.. Murray Smith, stated at II
meeting at NumurkSh that there We're
only $1,000 people engaged in manufac-
turing, while 1851 males and 5O.245 fe-
r"les We're employed in agriculture.
Would they submit to be rated and taxed
for the benefit of this miserable minor
ity? His answer was No" Was it any
thing surprising that the majority of
farmers had reverted to free trade? Let
all fare alike-not one class subsidized
and another taxed. Their future plank
would be free trade. He thought the
sooner they took action the better
1t was too late that evening to do any
thing further. Let them talk it over and
be ready to defend their rights when
called upon. Let them have a strong or
ganizatipn for the next election. Aus
tralian.