AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1927, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association FEDERAL TARIFF. CANBERRA. Dec. 14. The tariff debate was resumed ii the House, ol Representatives wliei butter and eheese items were eonsid prod. Duties proposed in the nev .schedule are sixpence British and six pence halfpenny intermediate, seven pence general as compared with three pence per pound all round under the old .schedule. The Minister of Customs (Mr Pratton) said this item had been exhaustively investigated and it was felt a.the dairy industry did not hold out very great attractions to those engaged therein, it was the duty of Parliament to do what it could to help. Referring to reciprocal trade agreement with Xi-M Zealand Air Pratteu said the principal items which were imported from New Zealand were butter. meat, fish, and timber, which with smaller items represented £1,101,000 of trade for New Zealand in items upon which New Zealand was entitled to preference. Australia sent to New Zealand £1,355.000 worth upon which Australia was entitled to preference. in items not enjoying preference .New Zealand sent £1.215.0(1!) worth while in similar iiems Australia sent- to New Zealand (12.133.000 worth. It seemed lo the Minister that the time was now opportune for the Federal .Ministry to renew negotiations with New Zealand authorities in respect to a reciprocal agreement.

Mr Erancis (Queensland) said the benefits from the Paterson scheme were almost nullified by the large importations of butter from New Zealand which were subject to a duty of only twopence per pound. Mr ,Scull in said he was satisfied the exports of butter from New Zealand were controlled by speculators and (hey were acting del rinientally to producers in Australia. The item was agreed 10.