TARIFF REVISION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1927, Page 4

TARIFF REVISION

DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. In the House last evening at tho conclusion of the Minister's statement Air Savage said it was impossible to discuss the resolutions in detail, but he would like to learn what the Government really had in mind. IV as the tariff to be revenue-producing or was it lor the laudable purpose of encouraging industries? He feared that the British preferential tariffs should go to countries to which money was lent. II the tariff meant to assist industry and to develop employment then it was worth supporting. Mr Savage commented on the small amount of business done between New Zealand and Australia. He criticised the incidence of timber duties, arguing that some safeguard was desirable for the people against higher prices being charged by New Zealand sawmiilers. Mr Forbes said that farmers lately

had been passing resolutions in favour of the reduction of duties. Any tariff | intended to bo protective of industries; tended to create a monopoly within j the country, and there should be an i efficient Board of Trade to see Chat j the people were not subjected to higher prices for protected goods. _ _ | Sir Joseph Ward hoped the Minis- ( ter would furnish a more convenient j statement of the proposals. So fai , as lie could see there was no reduction j in tlu< preference to British goods. I The preference was given only by increasing tho (anil on foreign goods. What was needed was reduction in! British preferential duties, otherwise the consumer coin'd not expect any benefit in the prices lie has to pay for goods. So far as lie could see the relief granted in the tariff was not: going to benefit the man whose income t':i x lately had been increased. H©j urged that the imposition of a high] tariff wall would mean an increase in the cost of articles to the consumer, j - Mr H. E. Holland hoped that when tho Bill was introduced it would do something to conserve the interests of the people of New Zealand and those engaged in the production of goods peculiar to New Zealnnd. Safeguards like that applied in the ease of wheat should be provided in tlie timber and oilier industries. He,stressed tlie need I for complete Empire reciprocity. H ; we granted preference in trade wo ' should get a similar concession in the financial market. Mr Harris thought it unwise to ex - - rlmle foreign trade by unduly raising preference to British goods. He deprecated the remission on raw cotton as likely to damage the local woollen industry by opening the way to a. \ mixture of cotton with wool, j Mr Wilford said that the Minister claimed that the proposals were made for a reduction of the cost of living, and at present members could not gainsay that-. Ho ,was, however, disappointed at the small amount of benefit motor-body building concerns ! received under the proposal's. New j Zealand could produce motor bodies' ns good as any to bo found anywhere, I j and the encouragement of local build- 1 era would increase available employment. All parts of tlie Empire should do the utmost to spend their money as far as possible .among themselves. Air Wilford said there lately had been a tendency in New Zealand to build up associations corresponding to what the Americans call trusts, and these tended to limit production. Air Girling commended tho encouragement given to tlie woollen innnufaetnrers of New Zealnnd. The discussion was carried on by Alessrs Parry, Veitcli and Howard, and after the Minister briefly had replied the resolutions were agreed to.