THE TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1927, Page 4

THE TARIFF

VXD SECONDARY INDUSTRIES

WELLINGTON. Sept. 20.

•if England did for herself what X. Z. has done for her, she would he 1 lie most prosperous country in the w.declared the chairman (Mr F. Campbell) at a meeting to-day of the Welii) igt ft'i i Manufacturers' A ssoe ia - tion. when the tariff was discussed. ‘•Tim time has arrived.” said Mr at mpholl, ‘•when the secondary in- ( amphel!, “when the secondary inI'.iai they will • represented in Parliament by a mini in favour of the highest protective iarilf." Mr !.-. R. Partridge: 1 would not take this tariff lying down. I would pul '.:n the biggest fight that has ever been put up. The chairman : Cut yea can’t figh! llc C imminent 7 >.’’ replied Afr Partridge, “hut you can u-v the big .slide. Why. wimt Ihe Government, proposes is no! even an attempt i i foster local industries. It, is a magnificent tariff for ill' Britisher, ami for the farmer.” In view of the increased preference l-i Gieat Britain, the percentage should bare 1 ecu increased, said Mr Camphell. from 61) per cent.. as at nrs.-onf. id 75 oar rent. For lho twelve mouths ended March 21 si. .1926, said Air Partridge. New Zealand bad spent £l6 19s fid per head on British goods. Australia £l9 iU Id. Smith \frica £4 :b 4d, Canada 1:2 18s lid, France I Is Bd. Gcrmany 12s oil, America 9s, Italy 8s fid and Russia lid.

Mr A. Seed said it was not right that America should be allowed to place her timber on the New Zealand market at the same rate as British countries. The chairman thought that many of the difficulties in connection with the tariff would have been overcome if the Alinister had been given greater discretionary powers. Air Burton : I think wo are a little premature in commenting on the tariff, in view of the fact that we have not seen the Board’s report.

The chairman: But Cabinet has based its decision on the Board’s report, which will be submitted to the House in due course. Air Burton: But the Board might bs able to justify its conclusions. Mr E. Bull said he thought everybody appreciated the difficulties with which a tariff commission had to contend. A voice: They arc colossal. Air Heed: I think the trouble is that the commission received many conieting views on certain industries. .Mr Partridge: That has been the bugbear all along. The chairman: “The secondary industries have got to pull together for the benefit of the country as a whole, or else they will get nowhere.” The Government, he added, had not given sufficient attention to the industries which could employ the greatest number of people. It was because of that that he was disappointed with the new tariff. Dominion presidents and secretaries of the Alnniifactovers’ Association, said Air Camnhcll, would meet in conference in Wellington on Thursday, with the object of placing the decisions arrived at before the Alinister on Fridav.

TARIFF ON lAI ELEMENTS. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 21. “That this meeting of the Canterbury A. and P. Association supports the implement manufacturers in their request for a. higher tariff on tillage implements with the idea oT stimulating the local industry, and in the hope of reducing the cost of implements eventually” The foregoing resolution was carried unanimously to-day by a meeting of the A. and p. Association, who had received a delegation from the implement makers. These latter stated Ilte Alinister, when they I ad approached him with a request for increased duties, had invited them to seek the support of the farmers. It was stated, on behalf of the implement makers that statements wore i ire.ulaled in New Zealand that in protacted Australia the farmers paid more for l.heir implements than in New .Zealand. where, incorrect instances were quoted to show that Australian-made implements were <ol.l in Australia at prices lower than those charged for similar American and Canadian implci.u nt* in New Zealand. It was stated also that, if reasonable protection were afforded, the X'-.v Zealand factories would be able 1 > double flic number of their employees and eventually reduce their prices.