MR FORBES INTERVIEWED

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1930, Page 3

MR FORBES INTERVIEWED

(By Telegraph—Press Association). -WELLINGTON, Aug. 21. A plea for further preference to British manufacturers, especially as regards motor-cars, was made to Mr Forbes, to-day, by a deputation representing the United Kingdom manufacturers’ association of New Zealand.

It was claTned that preference given to Canada was working out unfairly against Great Britain, in that many American makes, of cars were receiving the benefits of the Canadian preference. Under the Act, 49 per cent, of the vehicles exported from Canada might be the product of U.S.A. It might be a surprise to the Premier to know that out of 27 cars bearing American names and trade marks, only about five were paying the American rate of duty, which Parliament provided and expected they would have to pay from 1926 onward. It was also pointed out that American parts re-exported from Canada did not pay duty to Canada being.bonded and the duty repaid on their shipment, from, Canada. The same conditions applied to tyres as to cars. The loss in revenue to New Zealand owing to this system of evasion of the American tariff was very .lieayy.. Mr Forbes said it was,bis intention when in England to go , into the proportion of British labour used in the production of British., manufactures. The question of preference given to Canadian goods was at present receiving the consideration of the Government. The increase of the butter duties from halfpenny to two, pence was not quite fair, and New Zealand was entitled to review the question of Canadian preference. He would consider the representations of the deputation.