THE TARIFF.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1921, Page 1

THE TARIFF.

.. - A t'STK AT,! AX 1 FOOTWEAR. AUCKLAND, November 23. Tlte proposal to put Australia in the third schedule of the tariff with regard to footwear does not meet with the approval of hoot retailers, although the local manufacturers approve of the Government’s attitude in this respect-. In the course of an interview recently. Mr Hector Clark, president of the Auckland Root Manufacturers’ Association. set forth the view of the average manufacturer on this subject, and to some of his remarks exception has been taken by Mr E'. F.-, Kitchener. Auckland manager for Messrs R. Pearson and On., importers. Mr Kitchener repeats the assertion of retailers that the dosing of our doors against Australian footwear would place something like a monopoly in the hands ot Now’ Zealand manufacturers, alleging that with the door virtually closed against American footwear, and with trade in the United Kingdom still in an linkable and chaotic state, there would he no competition, tints giving the local manufacturer the monopoly mentioned He assorts that the English manufactnrer cannot yet supply regular or adequate 111 liint i t iev- of boots, nor at a price that "ill enable bint at present to successfully compete in the Dominion market by climbing a tariff wall of •J.~, per cent., plus la tn 25 per (-cut. additional landing charges.

In reply to Air Clark's statement that verv little footwear came from Australia until 1919. and that imports from England practically ceased alter the second year of the war. and to his query as to where retailors got thoii supplies from during the war. Alt Kitchener says the following figures front the “New Zealand Official Year Book, for boot and shoe imports most ol which came from Australia, supply the answer : 1915, C 400.987 ; 1010. £505. 11l - 1917, £493,109; 1918. £-580,642; or an approximate value ot two millions sterling for four years. Mr Kitchener contends that not a pair of children’s shoes is made in New Zealand and says that the average local manufacturer would candidly confess that he did not want the business or t l„,t be is not properly equipped for handling it. “In adopting this policy of retaliation against Australia. ’ said Mi- Kitchener in conclusion, "we injure ourselves in the process. It is a question of biting off one’s nose to spite oW’s fac-r*.’

1- t'RTII ER ALTERATIONS. agreed to by parliament WELLINGTON. Nov 29. _ The following alterations in the tarill to take effect on November Mth. were neroed to Lv the House to-night. "cjo,,. leather l and (1-llb. and over fid per lb. for British; oil' per lb for fot 01 There are to be no ad valorem duties Rubber tvies, motor ears, and cycles, bieveles. gas and oil engines (up to 100 h.pA the British rate is reduced from 15 per cent, to 19 per cent.

Spring time cultivsitors. disc harrows, seed and fertiliser sowers, seed cleaners, and cellular seed sepal'nuns— TO per cent. British; 29 fier eout. foreign. Sheep .shearing machines It' I'd' cent .if foreign—formerly tree from nit rouiitries. Turpentine, benzine. petrol, gasoline, rnal tar, oils, motor luels—tree h*om all countries (formerly ltd pd' gallon). Mineral lubricating oils Cd a gallon Brit is! i ; 8d a gallon foreign. Citrus fruih | nips mi bulk or otherwise) fill per edit. British; fin fee cent, foreign (formerly free il in bulk, and unsweetened). ’I intted salmon. British one penny three farthings, instead of *2(l per lb. Fresh apples ami pears *(1 per lb. British: Id |er Hi foreign till filsl ,lanuary, 1921 .and Id pe r lb British, anil a penny half penny per lb foreign attei wards.

I’nwdered resin 25 per cent. British fi.s per cent, foreign <formerly free) Silk yarns |(> per cent, foreign ffev. merle Iris’ from all eoiintries). Cast iron liftings inr pipes of over ihrec inches diamdor fit) per cent. Rri t.isli j:i w crushers fit) per cent-. British . 95 jier cent, foreign. Spray pumps (foot or band power) A per edit. British; 15 per edit, for :eign. Power spray pumps--free Inr British; IO per edit, foreign.

Gash registers—fit) pd' cant, all conn tries. . Furniture castors 20 per cent. Bri lish. fit) per cent, foreign up O' May filst. 1922.

The excess duties second schedule *o (lie resolutions of fil'd Novdiiher. 1021. is amende.l in so far ns itf relates to culinary and flavouring essences, and that there shall lie levied on aleolinl used in the production of sueli culinary and tbivnuring essences, entered for lullin’ consumption, after ttie 19th day of November. 1921. a duty at the rate ■of lffs per proof gallon of alcohol.