TARIFF POINTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 794, 15 October 1929, Page 16

TARIFF POINTS

MR. J. W. COLLINS EXPLAINS DUTIES

MANUFACTURES PRAISED “I have had 35 years’ experience of the manufacturing industries of New Zealand and I am very, very proud of the progress they have achieved.” S° said Mr. J. W. Collins, secretary of -the Department of Industries and Commerce, speaking in reply to the toast of “The Department” at the Chamber of Commerce dinner in Hotel Cargen last evening. In touching on the subject of New Zealand industries he felt, he said, rather like Daniel In the lion’s den. However, he wished to draw attention to the fact that New Zealand had gone far in her production of the essentials of life, both agricultural and manufactured products:

“As a civil servant I am not entitled to take sides in policy matters such as the question of tariffs,” continued Mr. Collins, “but I would like members of the chambers of commerce to understand three points in regard to tariffs: “In the first place, the hulk of tariff duties in New Zealand are regarded by the Government as revenue producing. “Secondly, half the goods imported into this country come in duty free, paying merely the primage tax. “Those tariffs which are placed are given only after intensive investigation by a competent committee and after it is proved that -the industry is competent. “In latter years we have urged more and more that if an industry is to be successful it must rationalise itself rather than expect more tariffs. In many cases this advice has been taken and I think the results will be evident shortly.”