NEW TARIFF.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19144, 29 October 1927, Page 17

NEW TARIFF.

PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN. ALTERATIONS CRITICISED. Tariff preference was a subject discussed at yesterday's session of the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand . Mr W. J. Gilberd (Wauigauui) moved the following remit:—"That this conference considers that the increased preference given to British countries under the new tariff is prejudicial to the interest of the Dominion and that the previous tariff covered all the preference that should be required from New Zealand." In moving the remit Mr Gilberd said that his Chamber considered that 10 per cent, preference was quite sufficient to meet the case at the present time. New Zealand had no preference in the British markets. He considered that Britain should give the Dominion preference by imposing taxation on raw products imported from outside countries. This was seconded by Mr H. Hague Smith (Wanganui), who said that it was impossible to confine all imports to Britain, as some countries could produco certain lines which could not be manufactured in that country. Mr Amery's Visit. Mr H. S, E. Turner (Canterbury) thought that the matter could well be left to be dealt with when Mr L. C. M. S. Amery (Secretary of State for tho Dominions) visited Christchurch. Mr B. C. Campbell (Dunedin) thought that Britain ought to impose restrictions herself on goods from foreign countries as she was asking New Zealand to do. Mr J. B. Richards (Stratford) agreed with the previous speaker. "Loyalty to the Old Country should be encouraged," he said, "but commonsense should be exercised." __ Mr A. G. Lunn (Auckland) said New Zealand had lived for the last 70 years under the British flag and Britain took almost all of our exports. "We should not bite the hand that caresses us," he said. "The matter should be held over for discussion during Mr Amery's visit." "Britain is also the hand that pays you." said the president, Mr W. Machin. "Where would we get another market?" An overwhelming vote was recorded) against the remit.