The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1920. TARIFF REVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1920. TARIFF REVISION.

There are many changes arising from the war, but although the Customs' Tariff has been seriously affected in consequence of that great struggle, no alteration has yet been made either in the tariff itself, or in the system whereby the duties are assessed. Under the special circumstances, especially in relation to the high- cost of living, the public were certainly justified in expecting that some attempt would have been made tc deal with this matter, which affects all classes of the community. According to Sir Wm. Herries, the duties are now being levied on the same system that has been in force for the last thirty years. The Minister also stated that the collection of revenue was the chief object of the customs. From this it may be inferred the system in force is one that aims at extracting the largest possible amount from the value of imported goods, many of which are absolute necessaries for the public. It may also be inferred that had the system and the tariff been adversely affected by the war, there would have been a speedy revision in older to swell the contributions to the Treasury. Apparently the Minister conveniently ignores the basic principle which applies to all taxation—that it must be equitable. There was, therefore, much force in the contention of Mr. L. M. Isitt in the House last Thursday, jfchat the Government should imme-

diately deal with the anomaly of charging duty on present market values, instead of on the actual cost of the goods, aiS arrangement which, not without good reason, he characterised as profiteeringAnother phase of the question was referred to by the Leader of the Opposition, who drew attention to the fact that the Customs Department had an officer in Britain, who reported increases in value if goods remained in Britain more than six months after purchase, an arrangement that did not ohtain with regard to American and 'Japanese goods, aud having the effect in many cases of nullifying the preference to British goods under the tariff. Obviously the revision of the tariff is a matter requiring very careful consideration and the expenditure of much time and labor. Sir Wm. Herries holds the opinion that reconsideration of the tariff ought to wait until the other taxes have been adjusted. It would be interesting to know the precise reasons on which such a remarkable view is based. In all probability the only reason is that ft is well to let sleeping dogs lie. The Minister recognises that anomalies exist, but he does not consider they are doing "much harm. From a revenue viewpoint, certainly not, and from a philosophical aspect they merely enhance the price of goods which are already far dearer than is conducive to the well-being of the people. To adjust all other taxes prior to dealing with the Customs' tariff appears to be putting the cart before the horse. There has been ample time for the work of revision to be carried out, but the temptation to make the most of the customs revenue has proved too strong. The result is that the burden of taxation is not being placed on the shoulders of those best able to carry it. In postponing this revisision the Government has displayed a lack of consideration for the best interests of the people. . It was essentialfy an urgent post-war work to be undertaken at the earliest possible moment. While po doubt it has been found convenient to postpone such a controversial problem, it would have been more statesmanlike and more consonant with sound policy to have courageously taken the jOatter in hand. When the Government adopts such a form of profiteering as is now the case in assessing duties on imports, it is only natural that the evil will grow. Possibly further pressure by members of Parliament may induce the Government to give precedence to the customs revision, instead of carrying out their present policy, which is causing unnecessary injustice to the public.