THE TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1921, Page 6

THE TARIFF.

r , IMPROVEMENTS MADE. STATEMENT BY PREMIER. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Nov. 18. “I think when members see the tariff again they will agree that it has been improved since it first appeared in the House,” said the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives last night. “J think they will be perfectly satisfied. I do not mean that the tariff will go through without discussion and alteration. I do not expect anything of the sort. But I Ifave never seen a tariff to which so little exception was taken as the present tariff.” Mr. Hanan (Invercargill) : Will you allow any alterations? Mr. Massey: The honorable member will find that his wishes have been anticipated. Much has. been said, continued the Prime Minister, about the tariff on boots. He had received a letter from the largest firm of boot manufacturers and importers in New Zealand .stating that the protection proposed to be given to the boot industry was more than ample. The firm warmly applauded the construction of the new tariff and stated that there had been no dumping from Australia. The trouble had been over-importing. The firm was R. Hannah and Company. Some of the speakers during the debate, continued the Prime Minister, had referred to Australia. The Ciovernment was proposing to take power to negotiate wi(h Australia and with any other British Dominion. He would not say what the Government intended to do until the actual negotiations took place. He would point out to members, however, that Australia had a grievance. New Zealand had grievances also. The Australian grievance was that New Zealand gave much more favorable treatment to South Africa than to Australia in the existing tariff. The duty charged on sparkling wines was 5s per gallon for South African and- l'ss per gallon for Australian. The duty on stjll wines was 2s for South African and 5s for Australian. Maize charge.d 6d per cental from South Africa and 2s per. cental from Australia. The disparity in the case of tobacco had been even more pronounced. He would like to offer to put Australia in the same position as South Africa under the tariff.