TARIFF DEBATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1921, Page 5

TARIFF DEBATE.

MORE PROGRESS MADE. FULL DAY’S DISCUSSION. I MANY ITEMS PASSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. i Wellington, Last Night. To-day the House again went into committee to further consider revision of the Custom tariff. At class 10, “metals and machinery,” the Minister moved the following amendment, which was agreed to: “Lead piping declared for use in making sulphuric acid, British to be free, instead of 3s 6d per cwt., foreign 5s per cwt.; all other lead pipe remains British 3s 6d per cwt, foreign 5s per cwt.” Considerable discussion took place as to whether the amendment did not take away from a metal-rolling firm at Auckland the protection necessary to carrying on the industry, whereupon Mr. C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) pointed out that B|Uch discussions were fruitless, inasmuch as so much power was given to the Government under the Bill that they could take a duty off or put it on as they pleased. It was therefore useless for the House entering upon long discussions about protection or free trade. In the item “rails for railways, etc” Sir John Luke (Wellington North) moved to delete “castiron chocks”, which were free, he contending that they could be cast in New Zealand as easily as a fire bar, and should not be admitted free to the detriment of local industry. The amendment was lost by 36 votes to 29. PUBLIC BODIES’ WANTS. Mr. Wright protested against the duty of 20 per cent, on cast iron pipes exceeding nine inches, which, he said, were used almost exclusively by local bodies. The Minister said the duty was not new, but was in the old tariff. Further, there was an industry in New Zealand which would benefit by the duty. Sir John Luke suggested that the diameter should be increased to twelve inches, which would allow most of the small local bodies to get their pipes in free, but the Minister would not give way, and the item was passed. Mr. J. Horn (Wakatipu) moved that wire netting be free under all headings. This was lost by 43 to 16. On the subject of pumps, particularly those used in connection with the dairying industry’, complaint was made that no efficient pump was made in New Zealand. Mr. G. R. Sykes (Masterton) moved that imported pumps be admitted free. The contention that no efficient pump was manufactured in New Zealand was freely combated, and Mr. Sykes’ amendment was lost on the voices. The Minister proposed to hold over the item “cash registers, etc.”, stating that there was some difficulty in arriving at a definition which did not include certain similar machines which it was not desired to include. The postponement wa» agreed to. TAX ON MOTORS. Rapid progress was made until the item “motor vehicles” was reached, and here a discussion was started on the subject of giving greater protection to motor body workers against competition from Australia. Great stress was laid on the quantity of motor bodies made in various parts of the Dominion, and it was stated that those engaged in the industry were in fear of inundation from Australia. The Minister was asked to reconsider the item.

Mr. Massey said he thought this was hardly likely, as our duty was very similar to that of Australia. A five-seater car imported into Australia paid £65 in duty. An Australian-made body worth £250, and he thought that was a fair average price, imported into New Zealand would pay in duty £62 10s. On top of this there was freight to pay, and he thought it was very fair protection. After further discussion the Minister agreed to hold the item over for further consideration. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) moved that perambulators be placed on the free list. The Minister said perambulators were being manufactured in every city in New Zealand, and the duty proposed was a measure of protection to the industry. The motion was lost on the voices. The Minister said he would look into the question of “putty” manufactures, which was likely to develop into a promising industry, and he would hold the item over for the present. THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. At class thirteen, “timber, etc.”, Mr. T. Seddon (Westland) raised the question of further protecting the timber industry by preventing the importation of timber to the Dominion. This gave rise to a lengthy discussion, in which those members representing timber-producing districts pleaded for greater protection, others contending that timber should be freely imported in order to cheapen the cost of houses to the people. At 10 o’clock Mr. A. Hamilton (Wallace) moved that the British preferential tariff on timber, n.e.i., be reduced from 2s per 100 super feet to Is lid, as an indication that the House is not satisfied with the present duties. The amendment was lost. Mr. Statham moved that “oars and sculls” be admitted free as a measure of encouragement to rowing clubs. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. McCombs strongly supported the amendment. The Minister said the item was purely a revenue one and he .thought if anything could bear taxation it was sport. Members were asking for increases in pensions and all sorts of State functions and revenue must be got from somewhere. The amendment was defeated by 41 to 20. The final item in the first schedule was passed at 11.55 p.m. and when it came to the second schedule Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition stated he proposed to offer a vigorous protest against the proposals of the Bill dealing with depreciated currency. The Premier interposed and said that J the matter was being looked into and would be dealt with later. The second schedule was then passed, i In the fourth schedule, the culinary and flavoring essences duty was reduced from 20/- to 16/- per gallon. The remaining schedules, with the exception of clause 141 in the fifth, were then passed. Progress was reported and the House rose at 12.21 a.m.