TARIFF HOPES FAIL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 355, 16 May 1928, Page 11

TARIFF HOPES FAIL

MANUFACTURERS VOICE DISAPPOINTMENT CALL FOR PROTECTION Disappointment at the decisions of the Tariff Commission is expressed by the Auckland Manufacturers' Association in ths report to be presented to the 41st annual meeting on May 24. “In view of the fact that nearly all the Ministers of the Crown had expressed the opinion that the manufacturing industries of the Dominion should be fostered and encouraged.” says the report, “we had high hopes that the new tariff would provide adequate protection for at least thos« industries which used New Zealand raw materials and for those which employed considerable numbers of workers. “Our expectations, however, were not realised. Only a very limited number of the industries received any encouragement, while in one or two instances the duty was eliminated, with the result that these Industries will be compelled to close down. “The main feature of the tariff was the encouragement accorded the oldestablished British industries by gen - erally increasing the British preferen - tial tariff. Had the same treatment been granted to our New Zealand manufacturers, much would have been done to assist in building up our young industries and providing work for the increased population which is so necessary for the prosperity of our Dominion.” The report adds that considerable time and attention were given to th«* work of creating a greater demand for New Zealand-made goods. Government departments, local bodies and other organisations approached had promised that in fulfilling their requirements preference would as far as possible be given to the New Zea-land-mad© article. The New ZealandMade Preference League had given great assistance and their activities had helped materially in creating a better demand for goods made in their own country. More publicity should be given by manufacturers to New Zealand products.