The Waikato Times MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1937. TARIFFS AND MARKETS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20279, 23 August 1937, Page 6

The Waikato Times MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1937. TARIFFS AND MARKETS.

The Prime Minister, when he announced that the session would commence on September 9, mentioned some of the more important matters that will be brought forward for consideration. It will have been noticed that a revision of the Customs tariff was not in the list, and as that is a heavy task, occupying many lengthy sittings, it is hardly likely that the omission was accidental. The last time anything in the nature of a major revision was before Parliament was when the Hon. W. Downie Stewart was Minister of Customs and the struggle between interested parties became very bitter. Usually there is a preliminary inquiry, by experts, but to-day the necessary data, as far as is known, have not been collected, and with national superannuation and possibly some aspects of the health insurance scheme to demand his close attention, in addition to the financial legislation, a very heavy burden would be placed on the shoulders of Mr Nash were a thorough revision of the tariff one of his duties during ‘.lie session. Judging by the brief report of a speech delivered by Mr Semple in Queensland he intends to urge the removal of trade barriers between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. The matter could not stop there for lowered duties, or their abolition, in one case would make it imperative to adopt the same policy with regard to Great Britain. There would be no sound defence for a policy which gave a country, already enjoying a larger market here than it affords the Dominion —and that is the position with regard to Australia freer marketing facilities while denying them to the best customer the country possesses. There is certain to be a move made by interested parties to secure a larger measure of protection, and the prospect of increased revenue to the Dominion by way of Customs duties, though not exactly logical, will doubtless be stressed by the advocates of higher tariffs. More than a year ago Mr Savage was interviewed on the question of price control, and he said that the Government would protect local'industries against goods from countries where cheap labour and long working hours enabled the manufacturers to under-sell competitors. The Prime Minister apparently was not attracted by the prospect of higher Customs revenue. He said that “although some thought it a legitimate way of raising revenue, we never did think so.” It is hardly likely, if a general revision is not made this session, that such a long and difficult task would be undertaken next year, with a general election pending.