NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1919, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES.

-CHRISTCHURCH EVIDENCE.: By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christehurch, Feb. 14. At the Industries Committee to-day, representatives of the furniture trad* urged that a preferential tariff of 124 per cent be imposed oa furniture from Kuropean and American Allied countries, that restrictions be placed on importations from countries where the wages and standard of living were lower than New Zealand, and that goods made in enemy countries be prohibited for ten years. It was also recommended that the commission should inquire into manufacture in the Dominion of three ply veneer and raw material, also that various specified articles used in the trade should bo admitted free. A Smellie, of the Otago iron rolling mills, advocated the admittance of rolling machinery free, and a preferential railway tariff. T. Ringlaud, of the iron and steel company, Dunedin, asked the committee to help secure semi-finished steel from Australia. C. M. Olliver, president of the Canterbury progress league, said industry could bo helped if a Minister for industries were appointed who hud some capacity for the work. Money should be advanced to industries by the Government as well as to people going on the land, and the money voted for scientific research work. Speaking as chairman of directors of the Woolston Tanneries, led witness to detail the grievances of his company as the result of Government interference. A sympathetic Government was required to help New Zealand industries. The Labor troubles did not worry them. The curse of this country was the inefficient employers. Witness advocated the discontinuance of the branding of cattle which ha alleged spoilt the hides. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr H. J. Mariner urged improvements to local railway facilities, the duplication of Lyttclton tunnel, and the speedy completion of the Midland line, j S. E. Collery urged quicker and cheaper means of transit for perishable products