Tariff Squeals

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 156, 22 September 1927, Page 15

Tariff Squeals

Customs Minister Kept Busy Many Calls For Protection (THE SITS Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. EVER since tlie tariff proposals of the Government were made known representations from industries all over the Dominion have poured into the office of the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who has been kept busy for many hours every day meeting deputations—some of them of a more or less minor character—seeking just a little more from the revision of the Customs duties.

One of the industries most persistent in its complaints is the motor-body building from which an incessant cry against the tariff has been heard. In the face of this the Minister is finding it difficult to view the* situation as calmly as he would wish, claiming that if the industry would consider its own position as impartially as he hopes to treat the whole revision, much more progress toward general satisfaction would be made. His object was to visualise the future of this industry and provide for expansion that is certain to occur, as well as to anticipate the directions which this expansion will take. MOTOR BODY BUILDERS A big deputation from this industry is to approach the Minister on Tuesday next when the Minister, as well as the Controller of Customs, probably will remind body-builders of the manner in which the Government has protected them in the past, and the suggestion might be advanced that the builders themselves must recognise that the industry is fast developing into one of body-assembling—an inevitable result of the present tendency. Apart from this industry, however, the Minister is besieged by many other industries, some of them expressing open hostility to the duties, others approaching the authorities gratified at the protection afforded but fearful lest the representation of opposite interests will have it taken from them. MULTITUDE OF INTERESTS The timber industry, although not admitting complete satisfaction, and nibbling gently for just a. little more, is intensely gratified at the increased protection, but a multitude of smaller interests are desirous of amending the tariff resolutions. Those who have gained by the alterations are making strenuous endeavours to retain the j>rivileges, while equally strenuous efforts to revert to* the old order are being essayed by the other side. Maize growers, who in their desire for a higher price, conflict directly with the pig-growers, probably will congregate from the northern districts and visit Wellington early next week to have their case heard. The boot industry might be heard on Thursday and on Friday manufacturers from all parts of the Dominion, and representing a variety of interests, will wait upon the Minister with their contentions. _ , The American film interests have not been idle and are asking to be let down more lightly than the tariff revi ®* ai * proposes, while British film concerns look on with complacent satisfaction. The Customs Amendment Bill, which is to give effect to the tariff resolutions, is being drafted and the Minister hopes to introduce it to the House next week This will embrace the main, purport of the tariff resolutions, and amendments that are to be effe^ d will be made at a later stage by supplementary resolutions. BOOT INDUSTRY IN GRAVE PLIGHT AN AWKWARD PROBLEM (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, To-day. disinclination to attempt lolly in the face of the recommendations of the Tariff Commission was expressed

by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart today to a deputation from the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers’ Association which waited upon him to ask for increased protection for the industry. Several speakers stated that the boot trade in'New Zealand to-day was worse than at any time in the last 25 years, owing to over-importation, and unless something were done by the Government it would degenerate in a few years sfrom an industry to a bespoke ship. Mr. Stewart said that his difficulty had been to sustain the duties, and if the Tariff Commission had been correct in its reporting he would be blown sky high if he tried to increase duties. All he could do would be to look into th 3 question and have another conference with the commission, but it would be very difficult for him to fly in face of its recommendations.