PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 11

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

BRITISja AND CONTINENTAL GOODS. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SHIPPING COMPANIES. In connection with the coming visit of the Empire Trade Commission, the Now Zealand secretary (Mr M. Ross) has written to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, stating that it has come under his notice that there was a probable curtailment of the benefit of preferential tariff treatment given by New Zealand to goods of British manu : facture by reason of tho port of origin of shipment being often undisclosed. For instance, it was stated that Continental shipments were being made to London in tho first instance, and then to the overseas Dominions, such goods being treated as shipped from England, and thus getting preferential treatment to which they were not entitled. The order of reference of the Commission excluded the tai’iff issue, but this seemed to bo a matter not ol tho desirability or otherwise of the establishment of a preferential tariff, but of whether or not our own people were to have the full benefit of .tho existing preference. It was desired that tho chamber would give its views on the subject. “Tho question of preferential treatment given to foreign manufacturers by our own shipping companies may also he worthy of your consideration,” continued tho communication. “It is alleged that certain of the companies give a preference to Continental goods as against British goods, the through Continental freight charges from Hamburg and Antwerp to New Zealand main ports being in many instances much lower than from London to New Zealand.” If this were the case it would havo tho effect of nullifying or minimising the advantages given by British manufacturers under the existing preferential tariff. . . . Tho president (Mr A. E. Mabin) said that if the chamber were going to give evidence it should get to work on the matter. He enumerated a list of questions which would bo asked by the Commission. Tho chamber might be asked its opinion of tho decimal-sys-tem. Ho did not know whether the chamber had expressed any opinion on this matter. Mr T. Ballinger: It’s about time we had. , Mr Mabin said he thought tho chamber approved of the system. ■ It was reported that Messrs Mabin, Shirtcliffe, Dutliie, Leigh Hunt, Dawson, and McLellan had been previously sot up as a committee to prepare evidence, and their appointments were confirmed, such matters as reported above to bo dealt with by them.