“ WITHIN THE EMPIRE.”

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1923, Page 4

“ WITHIN THE EMPIRE.”

N.Z. (IOVKHNMI'INT’S PFitCHASKS. STATKM F.NT BY 1-lON .1. C. COATF.S W’HLJ.INTiTON, .May 8. The lion .J. f.. Coates made a briol slalemeiit at the luncheon 10 the British Trade Commissioner yesterday, illustrating the attitude of the Now Zealand Covernment to British mamilaelurers. Not only had the Government carried a greatly mcrea-ed preferential tsrilf, ho staled; hut. on articles outside the tariff, such as electrical equipment, the Government had decided to give the British manufacturer a 20 per rent, preference over foreign manufacturers; while New Zealand maiHiineturers were given a 10 pei cent, preference. In connection with the Mungalmo si limn', for example, for exciter sets, the British tender was £0072, and the foreign tender £55(57; for transformers the British tender was £10,5(4, and the it.vigil £!S.G3M; lor water-wheels the llritsih tender was £78.703. and the foreign £O-1.431) ; and for sluicegates. the British tender was £3214. and tin foreign £2972. In oi.nnoetion with the Waikato scheme, too. the British tender for transformers was £3310. and the foreign £2882. In each ease the British tender had been accepted : Though in one ease it was more than 20 per cent, above the foreign tender. (Applause). that dearly shows the policy uf the Government Supplies Purchasing Board, o! which he had the honor to be Minister-in-Clmrge. (Applause). He hoped that the local bodies in connection with their reticulation work would adopt the same, policy. (Apple use).