EXCHANGE AND TARIFF

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1934, Page 8

EXCHANGE AND TARIFF

; . (To the Editor^ . ' :.-V^ Sir,—Having arrived in New Zealand at' <a comparatively recent.date, and having had-time to look round and .find my feet, it appears to be an: opportune moment to air one or two grievances. 'There is much being said and written regarding' the high exchange. How does it affect folks like raysteJf ?. Having brought my all -with me; it appears hard that in remitting moneys to relatives, insurance companies, etc.;-in the Old Land I am compelled to. find this extra money. Had I stayed in England ray year's insurance payment ivould ,have been £25, but through "coming here I have to find the sum of £31 ss. It appears hard ■ lines ' to ■> announce' the -Taised *ex-. change through:!the Press oner day and on the same date to make the law- immediately operative. "Would not it have-been kinder and more: considerate had we had, say, a month's grace? Here I am,- happy to pay my unemployment tax, but if I am a day or two late through no fault of my own, I am penalised and have to pay a fine. , The Tariff Board is sitting, and ire will soon learn the results of their deliberations. I always understood that the niain objective of a tariff wall was to protect the industries of the country concerned. Why is it that so Tiigh duties prevail against imported commodities which are not manufactured here, and will "not for many decades to come? 'The extra duties, of'course,* are merely added to the cost of the commodities and the public are asked, to find the difference. , l Within recent months'the wool sales .took place, and top prices were secured. Why was it that within forty-eight hours a 10 and 15 per cent, extra, cost was in some cases) put on prices of cloth in: -the warehouses when the cloth concerned had been made of previous.season's wool, and was not affeeted^by the higher.prices at recent sales? "'. ...■'-... :-;._■.'■:.■.' Some months.ago. the iembargo, was lifted against the importation of Australian oranges. Some of US' took hope that prices would come down, and especially seeing the fruit in question was rotting on the Australian orange groves. Prices have pot come down one whit, and adults or children requiring such fruit by doctor's orders are forced to pay 3d each.—l am, etc., -.',■' PACKING UP.