THE NEW ZEALAND TARIFF

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 26

THE NEW ZEALAND TARIFF

♦ EFFECT ON BRITISH TRADE. LONDON, January 16. The Tariff Commission, analysing the New Zealand tariff, shows that preference affects four millions' worth of goods in groups wherein British trad 6is chiefly concerned, compared with two and threequarter millions under the old tariff. Of the imports now subject to preference, about one-fifth are imported from foreign countries. Speaking generally, the Commission considers that the level of the tariff has been slightly reduced. HOW THE TARIFF WORKS IN THE DOMINION. / ITS EFFECT ON TRADE. WELLINGTON, January 16. The Times says- that inquiries as to the effect of the new tariff in cheapening prices show that on some articles the consumer x will get no reduction owing to the advance in prices at Home. Maizena, cornflour, infants' patent food, and cotton and silk goods have all gone up, and linen goods have also advanced. Light cotton goods will benefit. The remission of the duty on sugar (en item alone of £205,000) and on dried fruits (£33,000) directly benefits the consumer, prices being lowered to the extent of the lessened duty. Confectioners and jam-makers have, however, not yet loweredprices. The local boot trade is reported to have benefited by the tariff, end the demand for American boots has sensibly decreased.