TARIFF REVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1921, Page 4

TARIFF REVISION.

One of the most difficult and complex problems that any Government has to face is that of revising its Customs tariff, more particularly when it is politic to create preferential or reciprocal duties Under ordinary circumstances the task is one of extreme delicacy, requiring not only expert knowledge, but a keen appreciation of what will be the effect of duty imposed on each import on the country of origin, on the revenue of the State, and on the consumers, while also having due regard to what reciprocal concessions can be obtained from countries which trade with one another. That to a varying extent politics and fiscal matters are interwoven further complicates the settlement of tariffs. At the present time the United States Senate is engaged in a strenuous struggle over a Tariff Bill, the fate of which is said to be uncertain, but it is evident that, great efforts are -being made to increase protective duties on foodstuffs, and so close America as a market to be exploited from overseas.® Mr. has promised a revision of the Dominion’s tariff during the forthcoming session of Parliament, and has already appointed a committee to take the initial steps in the matter. Admitting that the gentlemen to whom this task has -been entrusted possess much departmental knowledge on the subject, the question arises as to whether such a body of Government officials constitutes the best medium for devising a tariff that will meet the requirements of the time and do justice to the altered conditions consequent on the upheaval caused by the war and the peculiar economic problems and financial pressure arising therefrom. It would seem advisable that leading representatives of the commercial and industrial interests should be invited to assist in this important work, the Chambers of Commerce in the four chief centres of the Dominion being each asked to select a member possessing the necessary qualifications for the work. Such a course would relieve Mr. Massey of a great deal of responsibility, and be far more likely to result .in a satisfactory tariff than otherwise seems possible. The British Government availed itself of the best brains of the country during the war time, and the example might well be followed in the Dominion in a matter of such importance.