TARIFF COMMISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1933, Page 5

TARIFF COMMISSION

BRITISH “THREAT”

IF REDUCTION NOT EFFECTED.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, July 16.

Before the Tariff Commission, Mr AiE. Mander, general secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation waid he desired to bring under the .notice of the (Commissioner, the following extract from a newspaper report of .an address by Mr W. J. Poison', M.P., president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. “4 definite statement had been made by a British (Minister that if New Zealand did not reduce its tariffs, the Dominion would b« subject first to a 'preferential duty and second to the restriction of New Zealand imports into Great Britain.” ■tfTn our view,” Mr Mander said, '•4this statement, if authentic, constitutes a direct threat to the New Zealand Government, if it doe s not puwue n particular line of ..policy namely reduction on tariff duties. On the presumption that this is correct, it .appears that a continuation of the present inquiry is rendered futile, and there woukl appear to -be little use in New Zealand manufacturers continuing to aome /forward and give .evidence, We view the matter in a very grave light, and application is made to the Commission to suspend for a few days all arrangements for taking of manufacturers’ further evidence, allowing ug these few days in which to reconsider our position. Professor Murphy: 1 don’t know that- we can take any cognisance of .report in newspapers of a hearsay remark made at some Conference What evidence is there that anv British Minister said this? Who said it, and when and where did he say it ? We are not committed by remarks of ■speakers at the . Farmers’ Union Conferences. I don’t think we can allow that to affect our work. . ■*. -p" Mr Mander ; This statement Wfis made by a responsible public man in a presidential address. - . Professor Murphy : What, business ,'is that of ours? Mr Mander : It is no business of yours, sir, but a great deal of business of ours. - /• | Professor Murphy: Surely it is a matter between you and him. There is 'mo evidence that any responsible Minister ever said. this. • ] Mr Gojv: In any case we have our- , order of reference laid down by the j Ottawa Conference to deal with.. Any, _ remarks mad© about the country are no concern of ours. . . Mr Craig ; The position is that eer- _ tain appointments have been, made by vour organisation, and if vou J don’t W’sh to bring forward witnesses dufjn£ th© next few days you can applv j jo have the matter postponed. f

MANUFACTURERS CONCERNED.'

DUNEDIN, July 15

Al telegram was sent to-Jay to the acting-Prime Minister, Mr Coates, by Mr F. Campbell, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation as follows: “On behalf of the manufacturers of New Zealand I urge the Gey comment not to be stampeded bv the dairy industry which is evidently bringing great pressure to bear on the Government to commit itself to the re duction of the tariffs without writing for the findings of the Royal Commission^'which i s now, in accordance with the Ottawa agreement, inquiring into the whole question of our industries, and tariff. In view of the fact that our tariff is low and moderate—about one-third of Australia’s—w e trust the Government will give full consideration to this fact before taking action.”