PROPOSED TARIFF BOARD

Horowhenua Chronicle, 31 May 1911, Page 3

PROPOSED TARIFF BOARD

FOR THE aWIMOXWKAT/J'H

SPEECH BY MK HUGHIOS

[BT IMtOTRIO TRLEGRAPH--OOFYRIOHT.] [PIR PRESS ABSOOJATION.J (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The resolutions passed at the Conference of Associated Chambers of Manufacturers, .held at Launceston in March, formed the subject of a deputation to Mr Hughes (the ActingFederal Premier). The resolutions were in favour of increased preference for Australian manufactured articles for Government undertakings; the appointment of a permanient non-political Tariff Board; preferential trade, relations with the eeltgoverning portions of the Empire, particularly with reference "to British goods carried on British ships; the extension of the Mn.migr.ation policy so as to embrace approved immigrants of w.hito races other than English: prohibition of dangerous drugs; and a uniform railway cauge for Australia. Mr Hughes, in reply, admitted that there were a few tariff anomalies, but generally the existing tariff luul not prevented a state of unparalleled prosperity. 'Me Government there would see that the puihlic did not pay too much for goods made in Australia. He asked if protection wore needed to safeguard industries or to swell profits. He was .not against to a Tariff Board being provided if he could see that t>11? Board would be effective. He would be glad to receive suggestions as to what was considered 'a fair ma~»;'.ii of profit. On the. questbn of i'r % migration. Mr Hughes said tint it was a matter for the States of the Commonwealth to take effective steps to encourage people hy their Taws to settle in the country, and lie did not think they -ihoold koK outside British territory for iir.'n!grajits. He disagreed with mo speaker, who had said that the Gorman immigrants were more skniod than British immigrants. 'fhe former were less desirable so far as Australia was concerned.