N.Z. TARIFFS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1933, Page 5

N.Z. TARIFFS

COMMISSION SITS PREFERENCE FOR EMPIRE GOODS J (Per Press Association— Copyright.) WELLINGTON, June 12. The examination of Mr L. P. 'Manuel'. secretary of the New ireaiana Manufacturers’ Association by Captain Colheck, representing the Farmers’ Union, occupied most of the time of j the Tariff Commission to-day. Mr Mander denied that manufacturers were selling at -a.n excess profit. He •suggested that preference should be confined to goods which were one hundred per centum Empire prod need. Mr Colheck asked whether if protection (■were removed New Zealand imight support a. population of one million, and inquired whether Mr 'Mander was in earnest when he made that statement. .Mr Mander replied ; I was on oath, you insult me when you say I not in earnest. Mr Colbeck ; I suggest that protec. tio.n increree? the cost of production. Mo; Mander; I don’t admit that. Answering a further question Mr Mander said that quality for quality, New Zealand goods were cheaper than British. He agreed that if the cost of living fell - ?5, per cent,, wages could ‘be reduced by that amount." without loss to the workers, but denied that such a case manufactured goods could be reduced by the like amount, jas costs had to be considered.

Th’u afternoon the Commission heard 'representations by Mr W. M. Patterson, director of Adams Bruce, Ltd.

Mr Patterson asked for a reduction in the duty on unsweetened chocolate, which he claimed was in reality raw material. He contended that the rate should be about half of that imposed ou the finished product. At present unsweetened chocolate carried the same -tirade of duty as ordinary confectionery. Mr Andrew Fletcher, director of the Fletcher Construction Company, asked (for the imposition of duty on electrically welded fabric, on the ground that it interfered with New Zealand labour. The Commission adojurned until tomorrow.