MORE PROTECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1927, Page 2

MORE PROTECTION

ASKED BY MANUFACTURERS. (By Telegraph—l’er Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. A deputation comprising fifty members of the New Zealand Alanufaeturers’ Federation, waited on the Prime Minister to-night to protest against the new tariff.

“ From the point of view of the New Zealand manufacturers, the new tariff, to use a homely phrase, is rotten,” declared All- J. S. Boss, the President. The deputation claimed that the new i ustoms schedule did not give their industries the protection to which they were entitled. The deputation asked that the secondary industries of the Dominion should be pi'aced in,a position to compete with the overseas manufacturers, and that a Tariff Board, with power to revise the details of the tariff should he established; that the dumping duties should he enforced, and that to qualify under the Empire preference clauses, imported goods should he at least 75 per cent British-made, instead of 50 per cent, as at present. The Prime Minister, replying generally, said the tariff had been designed to give substantial benefit to those industries most beneficial to the country. Such industries should he afforded some help to enable them to get on their feet in competition with those of older countries, which had built up world-wide distributing sales organisations. That did not mean the New Zealand industries should always be bolstered. That would not he to their j interest, nor to the interest of the] country. The tariff was not carefully framed. There were certain industries which, it was felt, would not he worth helping, as their future was not likely to he a healthy one. The question of a tariff board was one of policy, and it was certainly a matter that the Government would consider. He would not like, however, to give anyindication of possible action on the point, as be would have to consult bis colleagues. Air Coates also promised to consider the request regarding the imposition of dumping duties.