TARIFF CHANGES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1932, Page 2

TARIFF CHANGES

HEARING REPRESENTATIONS. RESULTS OF OTTAWA. (Special to “Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, September 23. The manner in which the tariff revision lairising- out of the Ottawa agreements will be effected was explained by the Prime Minister, the .It. Hon. G. W. Forbes, last evening. “Customs resolutions will be introduced in the ordinary way at an early stage in the session,” said Mr Forbes. “The revised duties will be effective immediately th® resolutions have been pas ed. A Customs Amendment Bill, oonfuning tre resolutions, will appear later.

“The idea is to give ample opportunity between the passing, of' the resolutions fend 1 the, introduction of the Bill for hearing -representations bearing on the changes in the tariff. Probably there will be an interval of two weeks between the resolutions and thie Bill. If it is decided to many arny alterations, refunds of Customs duties will be made where necessary.”

Mr Forbes intimated that no general tariff revision was contemplated. A recent remark made by him in Christchurch appeared to have been misconstrued. The intention was to grant certain increased preferences to (Britain in the 'light of the Ottawa decisions, 'The appear ante of (t Customs Amendment Bill would probably be taken advantage of by members to discuss general tariff questions, but that did not mean the Government intended to do more at the moment than carry out the reciprocal undertakings given at Ottawa.