CUSTOMS TAXATION.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 164, 23 December 1926, Page 4

CUSTOMS TAXATION.

FARMERS’ VIEWPOINT. Upheld By Chamber. At the monthly meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce, Mr. C. G. Alcorn drew the attention of members to the fact that a revision of the customs tariff was contemplated by the Government next session. They were situated right in the midst of a farming district and they all knew that the farmer was carrying as much taxation at the moment as he could possibly bear. Despite this an attempt was being made to foster a campaign to place still further burdens on their shoulders. This move he felt should be condemned by the Chamber, which should support the farmer to the best of its ability. The speaker further advocated that increased preference should be given to Britain if only from patriotic motives. Our produce entered Britain free, yet we taxed their manufactured goods which we imported. In his opinion the duties on British goods should be reduced 10 per cent, and in following years further reductions should be made until this tariff was eliminated.

The chairman: I am sure we all favour supporting Britain to the best of our ability, but it is a big question, and I doubt whether we should do anything hurriedly. Mr. Griffiths suggested that without going into details they could support increased preference to Britain, and urge that all those seeking protection should be compelled to lay their cards on the table. It was no hardship and it was manifestly unfair to expect the great third party —the general public—to pay, unless all such information was available and a case made out. Personally, he favoured the grant of counties in preference to a high tariff wall. Mr. Neal remarked that larger quantities of china and watches were coming in from foreign countries. In the former case especially, he thought, greater preference should be given to Britain.

On the motion of Messrs. Alcorn and Griffiths it was unanimously decided to advocate greater preference for British goods, beginning* with a 10 per cent reduction next year, and reducing* the tariff until it was practically eliminated, and also to support the movement to insist that all industries desiring protection should be compelled to state their case in public before a commission of enquiry.