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STATEMENTBY ME. TAVERNER.
KERANG, Monday.
filr. lavernor, Minister of Agriculture, who
was interviewed to-night relative to tho Argus
Article alleging that Ministers have broken faith
In connection with the tariff, says that the
statement is utterly devoid of foundation.
So far as he knows, tlio GoTnmmonfc has nnfc
departed from the policy announced by the
Minister of Customs when introducing' the
tariff. When questioned as to whether he,
as asserted by the Conservative press,
pledged himself at the last olcction to
support all round duties of 20 to 25 per cent.,
Mr. Taverner said distinctly, No, and that he did
not at any meeting so express himself. In the
course of the lastclection campaign Mr. Taverner
was announced to address a meeting at Swan
Hill, but was unable to do so on account of a
severe indisposition ; but during conversation at
the Royal Hotel with tbe local repre
sentative of the Argus he was asked
what he thought of the 25 per cent,
proposal of the Triple Reform League, and
replied that while he thought somo of the
duties might be reduced to 20 or 25 percent.,
an all round duty would not act. A report of
this conversation was convoyed to tbe public
through tho Argus as that of a speech delivered
by Mr., Taverner.
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