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Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1922, Page 2

In the course of moving the second , reading of the Tariff Agreement in the House, on Thursday last the Hon. Dow- ; nie Stewart said two points needed refere: ce. Firstly, regarding articles out- . side the special selected list it was • not considered advisable after having gone very fullly into the whole matter to make another special schedule. Touching on the position of manufac- , furors of confectionery the Minister said that a reasonable amount of import a- , tion under a moderate tariff would . avert the fate that Well Australian manufacturers. When a high tariff was imposed British manufacturers came, put up their own works and praeticallv swamped the local firms. Otago and Southland had made some protest regarding citrus fruits. These excepting lemons (which carried a penny per pound duty), wore free from Australia. The leather duty seemed satisfactory to Christchurch tanners, though Auckland and Dunedin firms were not satisfied. . Referring to motor ear bodies a small fixed duty was imposed last year. There had been no competition su far from Australia. New Zealand builders he pointed out got many materials free of duty, while Australian builders pay on these. Referring to oats the Minister said that interested people in Christchurch had asked that the duty should lie retained. Since then Southland growers had asked if a reduction of the Australian duty could he secured os they could take advantage of the Australian market. They were quite willing to fare Australian eompetition in years when Australia had good crops. In conclusion lie thought the best plan would lie for the House to ratify the agreement in globe, leaving it open fi r any speeial items on which amendment was desirable to lie settled by subsequent negotiation. One of the principal items on which Australia desired freer entry into New Zeland Was dried fruit. This was desired in order to get over the competition from. Smyrna and other Levantine countries, where cheap labour was available. Any attempt at this stage, however, to modify the agreement would imperil the whole measure. ** i