The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1932. CUSTOMS DUTIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1932. CUSTOMS DUTIES.

The Customs Duties Bill, .the second reading of which has been taken in the House makes provision for lower curies on United ivingdom and colon ml confectionery, apparel, hosiery and siliks, as dealt wicu in the agreement previously before the House. Special power was given to the. Gov-ernor-General to reduce by OrdernnCouncil the: duties on confectionery, ‘appairfel, hosiery and silks from Canada, SouD Africa, the Irish Free SLate, N< .vfoundlaud and India to the same level as tnose on similar goods from the United Kingdom. In the course of his spe sch. on the Bill, Mr Chutes said with inspect to the agreement ' with Australia, the ’position is that in both . countries there is a strong feeling that the time lias arrived, for a complete revision, of the existing arrangement. Preliminary conversations have Taken plate between representatives of the two dominions, and it is intended that, if possible, there should be a further meeting, as soon .as practicable to go into the whole question. A discussion also took place between the New Zealand delegation, •and representatives of South Africa, India and the Irish .Free State. It wars 'arranged that these were to be continued by correspondence. With respect to the question of tariff simplicity, the mercantile community will generally agree that during recent years changes in Customs duties due to economic conditions have rendered the tariff more and more complicated, and, in the interests both of importers and the Departments, it is desirable that further complications should not, if'possible, continue. Discussing New Zealand's tr'ade with India, Mr Goatee said that the latter country whs a potential customer for a large proportion of our exports. He said potential advisedly, because it was difficult at this distance' I ‘to visualise, off-hand the possible coiisunvtion in Indlia of New’ Zealand produce. Power was given by the Order-in-Council mentioned merely to enable the, Government to carry out negotiations with other dominions, and it was valuable that the Government should have tins' authority, but it should Tie' explained 'thaf'VMtAver agiVehibhtV * blight bb reached us a result of these negotiationg would have to-receive" Parliament’s confirmation, The Indian Government, lie wp«i assured, would readily co-operate with New Zealand, in endeavouring to arrange far mutual trade. Apart from dairy products, whole milk end meat,, the Dominion could trade extensively with India in fruit. There were also further trading prospects with 'Canada and South Africa which had to be kept in mind, and which could under the Bill be made the subject of negotiation, In connection with the agreement until Australia, it was recognised that the present exchange position gave Australian manufabturers a. distinct advantage over- New Zealand manufacturers. There were also other aspects of the question which would 1 require the at•t ant ion of the Government at an early date. Some consideration had already been given to the difficulties on both sides in order that a satisfactory arrangement- between the two dominions could be made as' early as possible. It 'would be agreed that simplification of the tariff was urgently necessary, for it was essential a hut traders should have confidence in the stability of tariff rates. The Australian agreement was overdue for overnaul, and it could be ended with six months’ notice by either side., The Australian Government realised the position, and it was anxious to discuss the questions at issue with New Zealand. Following upon the clause providing for the removal of surtax on United Kingdom and colonial goods, in accordance with. Article 6 of the agreement, the Governor-General was authorised by Order-in-Council to extend concessions to : Canadian, South African, Irish Fre© State, Newfound•liand and Indian goods. The object of this was, once again, to give effect to the dual purpose of keeping the tariff as simple as possible and promoting trade with other dominions. Consequential upon this the 1 per cent, and 2 per cent, primage on Australian goods was abolished'. Provision would be made to safeguard the New Zealand tobacco growing industry against 'any unfair advantage- as to result of the removal of the surtax on imported tobacco and cigarettes. The protection granted : to New Zealand tobacco and cigarette manufacturers undler the Customs and excise duties had been considerably reduced in recent years, and the removal of the surtax on United Kingdom tobacco •and cigarettes meant a further reduction of this protection, which in seme instances would he practically abolished. Power was given to the GovernorGeneral to reduce by Order-in-Council excise duty to au extent not exceeding the surtax remitted. !