THE TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1921, Page 5

THE TARIFF.

IMPORTANT NEW DUTIES. SPIRITS AND TOBACCO HIGHER. £ V"; ■ INCREASE ON COTTON AND LINEN. HEAVY BENZINE DUTY. The new tariff proposals were brought down in the House last night. The principal increased duties affect: Cotton and linen piece goods. Spirits and tobacco. Benzine. Rubber tyres. Motor cars. The tariff shows a general all-round increase on almost every dutiable article, but most goods which were previously free remain so. The principle of British preference is maintained, and many articles of foreign origin will now carry heavier duties. The tariff treaty arranged with South Africa in 1907 is unchanged. To the “man in the street” the new tariff is of great importance in its influence on the cost of living, and in this respect one of the most important increases deals with cotton and linen piece goods, which are now grouped with textile piece goods, and bear a duty of 20, 30 and 35 per cent. This group includes continuous towels, quilts, curtain nets and muslins, and similar articles, but such goods as flannelettes, calicoes, linen, etc., in the piece will still be free if British, with 10 per cent, if foreign. Woollen piece goods, previously carrying 20 per cent., are now loaded with a duty of 20, 30 and 35 per cent. Apparel made to order —that is, suits or dresses for which measurements are sent to England or America —for New Zealand residents will now carry a duty of 40, 50 and 60 per cent., as against 40 per cent, previously. There is an increase of 2 J per cent, on foreign ready-made apparel. Where three sets of figures are mentioned in this connection the first applies to Br-i tish preferential tariff, the second to intermediate tariff and the third to general tariff. NO SUGAR DUTY. It was rumored some time ago that the reduction in the price of sugar, which came into force this week, would be followed by a duty on sugar, but these expectations have not been realised. Sugar is free if of British origin as before, but it will carry a duty of id per lb if foreign. Tea remains unchanged. The duty on cigarettes and cigars is unchanged, but tobacco shows a marked increase, while beer and spirits also carry heavier duties. Motor fuels of all descriptions, such as benzine, and kerosene, which were previously free, now carry a duty of lid per gallon. * This is practically a duty of Is a case. There is also an increased duty on all descriptions of motor vehicles.

Other, features of the tariff are: Malt, previously Is per bushel, is now 5s to 7s per cental. Peas (split), previously 2s per cwt., are now id to id per lb. This equals 4s 8d and 7s per cwt. Fruit trees, previously free, now carry 25 to 40 per cent. Matches, practically unchanged. Pickles, sauces and provisions generally are unchanged. RISE ON TOBACCOS. Cigarettes and cigars unchanged. Tobacco, which was all grades 3s 6d per lb--before, is now 10s per lb for cigarette tobacco, 5s for cut pipe tobacco and 4s 6d for plug tobacco.

Imported English beer is unchanged; also various grades of wines. New Zealand brewed beer has been advanced approximately 6d a gallon all round. All spirits are raised from 18s to 36s per gallon. Perfume spirits, previously 30s a gallon all round, bear a duty of from 70s to 90s. Vinegar is unchanged. Chemicals generally are practically the same. Renneti in tablet form or in small containers of a pint or under, previously free, now carries a duty of 20s, 30s and 355, while bulk rennet for dairy factories is still free. Leather, which previously carried a duty of from Id to 4d a lb, now has to pay from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent. All kinds of boots and shoes are practically the same, now paying a duty of 25, 37£ and 45 per cent., instead of a fixed rate of approximately one shilling a pair and 15 per cent. Infants' footwear of all descriptions is still free, as also are gum boots. DUTY ON TYRES. Rubber tyres of all kinds and inner tubes, whether attached to wheels or not, which were previously free, now carry 15 per cent, if British and 25 per cent, if foreign. Crockery and earthenware generally is practically the same, bearing an additional 5s if foreign. Cement now carries a duty of Is and Is 6d per cwt., as against 2s and 4s a barrel of approximately 4001bs. Playing cards are unchanged. Clocks and watches are unchanged, and three is a slight increase in fancy goods and jewellery. Toilet preparations are practically unchanged. Films for cinematographs, previously free, are now free if British, but carry Id per lineal foot if foreign. This will be a severe duty on American films. Tobacco pipes, musical instruments, phonographs and photographic goods are practically unchanged, except an extra 5 per cenfc if foreign. Manufactured stationery and stationery n.o.e. carry a small increase if foreign. Printing ink, previously free, has gone up from 15s to 30s per cwt. Iron (galvanised iron, etc.) is about the same. Gas engines and oil engines, which were from 10 to 20 per cent., are now 15 to 25 per cent. Incandescent electric lambs, according to strength, carry a duty of Id to Is per bulb. Previously the duty was 10 to 20 per cent, added. Dairy machinery is still frfee. Road graders and tar sprinklers show a slight increase of 5 per cent, on foreign imports. The duty on British imports is unchanged. Machine tools—i.e., engineering tools generally, are now free if British, but ' carry a duty of 10 per cent, if foreign. The same applies to artificers’ tools of all kinds. Bee-keepers’ outfits of all descriptions are still free. MOTOR-VEHICLES. J Firearms of all kinds are practically the ; same, but there is a slight increase in shot ! cartridges. Tinware and hardware generally are

practically the same, carrying a slight increase in foreign duties.

Bicycles, tricycles, motor-bicycles, motorcars, and, motor-vehicles of all kinds, including tractors, which previously paid duty of from 10 to 20 per cent., now pay 15 to 25 per cent. Flying-machines are free if British. Linseed oil, previously free, is now 6d to Is per gallon. Turpentine, previously free, now carries lAd per gallon. Paints and colors, previously 2s 6d per cwt., are now 10 to 20 per cent. Varnish, etc., previously 2s per gallon, is now 10 to 20 per cent. The duty on all grades of timber is unchanged. Basketware, wickerware, etc., previously 20 to 30 per cent., are now 30 to 50 per cent. Brushes of all descriptions carry an extra 74 per cent, if foreign, but are unchanged if British. Gelitine, glue, etc., previously 14d per lb, are now 20 per cent, to 35 per cent. All manures remain free. Heirlooms not exceeding £lOO in value are free.