NEW CUSTOMS TARIFF

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21236, 7 August 1934, Page 12

NEW CUSTOMS TARIFF

♦ ! CONFECTIONERY IMPORTERS APPROACH MINISTER fp»zd» \3aocivnox ulegbam.) WELLINGTON, August 6. t'hat the New Zealand confectionery and biscuit industry was now solidly entrenched and should be able to compete with British factories ( without protection owing to high freight charges, was the claim of representatives of British importers when they interviewed the Minister for Customs (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) to-day. If further protection was considered necessary for local manufacturers, they said, a tariff of 10 per cent, ad valorem should be ample. The deputation was replying to submissions made previously to the Minister by representatives of the New Zealand industry, following on the reduction in duty of from 27$ per cent, to 20 per cent. The deputation asked for reduction to 10 per cent. The deputation asked for total abolition of the duty against British manufacturers of biscuits because of the relatively higher importing costs. A reduction to 18 per cent. Vns not sufficient to implement the Ottawa agreement. On behalf of United Kingdom manufacturers of porcelain and enamelled cast-iron baths, another deputation protested against the increase in duty of from 20 to 25 per cent, ad valorem, and requested that importation should be free. The increase in duty would have the effect of virtually debarring the importation of baths made in the United Kingdom. ■)