THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 1 April 1908, Page 3

THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF

_T__J_ SC_Q_DUl__s IN FORGE TCKDAY. h | - ■With the beginning of the second quarter of the present year, the remaining schedules under the preferential tariff passed last session came into force, and it is almost needless to add that importers, not being- by any means April fools, cleared all they could before the end of March. Altogether 194 items are affected by the new tariff, but of that number 36 came into operation some time ago. Chatting -with Mr. A. J. Entrican this morning, a "Star" reporter got some interesting information regarding some of the items affected by the""tariff which came into force to-day. "Looking at this tariff from a broad point of view," said Mr. Entrican, "it appears to mc that it is not calculated to do British manufacturers very much good as far as the lines in which I am interested are concerned. I rather agree with the idea already expressed that it will tax the community without being much benefit to Britain or her colonies. In the case of canned fruits, however, it does seem that the Commonwealth of Australia will benefit. Hitherto these fruits have been to a great extent imported from the United States, but the addition of another 12$ per cent preferential tariff to the duty already existing will cause supplies to be drawn from Australia. Orders have already been placed in Australia for thousands of cases of canned fruits which hitherto were sent to the United States. Tou see, the addition of the 12* per cent to the original duty brings it up to 37 3 per cent on the value f.o.b. 'Frisco. Then, again,, there is the advance in the duty on matches of 6d per gross. The idea is, no doubt, to enable the British manufacturer to compete, but I do not think he can do so, as with the 6d per gross added the value of these is still

V- per gross in -few Zealand. The addition of the extra 6d per gross brings up the duty on this particular line to laO per cent, which, of course, the consumers here have to pay. At the same time, I don't think it is possible for the British manufacturer to compete with Sweedish labour in regard to matches." There is also a 10 per cent advance

in all such lines, as the X-rays stovd polish, brilliant shine, and peerless gloss, all of which are imported from the United States, and must still be drawn from that country. Then, as regards wooden ware, we do not seem to be able to get clothes-pegs, wooden water buckets, and similar articles from elsewhere, therefore they will still be got from America, and consumers here will pay the added 10 per cent under' the preferential tariff. Another 10 per cent is added to patent medicines, and such goods which, to a great extent. will still be drawn from the United States. American toilet soaps will still come over, being 10 per cent dearer under the new tariff. Of course there are excellent toilet soaps made in Britain, but the Americans seem to have the knack of putting' up a cheap, really good soap in an attractive form, and they are in demand with the public. Another article affected, is wire clothes lines. Previously, these came in free, but are now subject to a dm;y of 20----per cent. Practically, all wire" clothes lines come from America. Cocoas havp advanced 20 per cent on the actual duty, as far as foreign makers are concerned, which will bring the duty on such lines as Van Houten's and "Bensdrop's up to three- fifths of a penny per pound. Now. these Dutch cocoas meet with great demand in New Zealana, and will still be imported at tie added cost. Codfish, which comes from the United States, will be advanced 5/ per cwt., and health foods 10 per cent, while preserved ginger, which is not made here, has risen one half-penny per pound under this tariff. Barry's Tricopherous and Ayers Hair Vigour, both American patents, are up 12J per cent, and, of course, British firms cannot make those particular line 3, because of teh patent. American canned and potted meats have advanced in dc.ty of 10 per cent, which may help local makera here. In regard' to Hestle's Milk, the advance of 121 per cent makes the duty now 37J per cent on that article. Thia being prohibitive, I understand that the makers intend establishing a factory in New Zealand, but even that can hardly benefit local makers of conden-sed milk. Foreign-made cigarette pajjers and Briar pipes have to carry an extra 121 per cent, but these are mostly French goods. French and American canned tomatoes have 12* per cent added, but there is no reason why these articles should nob be canned in New Zealand. The trouble is that in most of these lines the increased tariff will require to be paid by consumers here without bmefitting British manufacturers.

Other lines affected are electrical, mining, and dairying machinei-v, hardware generally, photographic materials, cartridges and cartridge cases, indiarubber hose, printing machines, ::ype, and cut cork.