AN OBLIGATION TO BRITAIN.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 7

AN OBLIGATION TO BRITAIN.

Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) stressed tho fact that New Zealand had an obligation to assist the Old Country in every possible respect. The British car might not be so well adapted to local needs as the American car, but the article was being gradually improved, and New Zealanders should use it, even if it entailed a sacrifice. New Zealand had very little to thank America for, and need have no hesitation in imposing an increased duty on the American car. Too much money had been going out of New Zealand to America during the past few years. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) said that much good would result if those people, who were putting their money into the importation of foreign goods would invest their capital in New Zealand in the direction of building,a factory not only for motor-body building but for the construction of the complete motor-car. The motor-engine was not comparable with the technique of many classes of engines at present built in the Dominion. Mr. R. W. Smith (Waimarino) appealed to the Minister to materially assist the timber industry at next tariff revision, Mr. E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua) did not think that the increased duties on timber were enough to give adequate protection to the local industry. The hope was expressed by Mr. H. G. Dickie (Patea) that the changed duty would have the effect of inducing British manufacturers to produce cars suitable for colonial requirements. The Hon. A. D. M'Leod (Minister of Industries and Commerce) said that all sections of the community would have to work together in assisting to make the country more self-contained, but the primary producers were sceptical of attempts at increasing the tariff, for they feared as a result of past experiences that, tho prices of the things which they used would bo increased. He was satisfied that there was an opportunity for this country to go a little bit further than platitudes in helping British, trade. There was an opportunity to do that in the motor industry, and that was why he supported the Minister of Customs in his present action. He believed the effect of' the change would be good. Although Britain might not have done much to meet local needs in the matter of motor-cars, yet how much encouragement had been held out to encourage her to do sof He was satisfied the change would give the Britisher an opportunity to get into this market with a suitable car. The' Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) said that the whole situation should be considered next session. They had to concentrate on producing the commodities within New Zealand that were necessary to-New Zealand, whether primary or secondary. There should be no Customs duties on those commodities that New Zealand could not produce.The Minister of Customs: "What about whisky 1" Mr. Holland: "Well, that is not a big item as far as I know.. I am not sure that whisky is not a local product, either. (Laughter.) It is in most countries." Mr. Holland thought that it would be a mistake to lay it down as a principle that London parity should control prices in New Zealand. In dealing with motor vehicles, Mr. Holland wanted to know, if they wanted to give British preference, why they could not let British goods in free? The day was past when.the motor-car was regarded as a luxury.