THE TARIFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 280, 24 November 1921, Page 8

THE TARIFF.

AUSTRALIA'S POSITION. REVISION OF DUTIES. PLACED IX FOREIGN SCHEDULE. 10 ENCOURAGE RECIPROCITY. iRy Telegraph.—Parliamentary [Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Further resolutions relating to the tariff were adopted in the House of .Representatives to-night. Power is provided to enable the Ministry to exempt any country with depreciated currency from the operation of the >pecial duties imposed on November 3. Importations from the Commonwealth of Australia are to fall under the general tariff from December 1. There lia-d, said the Premier, been a good deal of objection taken to the position of Australia in the tariff as brought down. This would be revised in the new resolutions, which placed Australia in the general tariff. He was sorry that it had become necessary to do this, but the right thing had been done. "Australia," he said, "did not have much consideration for New Zealand when their tariff was dealt with not long ago. and we have to get into a position to negotiate with them." He had noticed with pleasure the remarks of the Federal Minister of Customs recently in regard to New Zealand that he was quite prepared to enter into a friendly and satisfatcory arrangement with us so far as Customs duties arc concerned. He (the speaker) had to admit that New Zealand's treaty with South Africa had put Australia at a disadvantage. A mistake was made in that treaty, and it could only be altered by Statute. He thought Australia would benefit from reciprocity with New Zealand. He had talked the matter over with members of the Federal Parliament, and they showed anxiety to make a more satisfactory arrangement. Hon. E. P. Lee: It is very unsatisfactory now. Mr. H. Poland: You must have several of Fisher's treaties in the pigeon-holes. Mr. Massey: I have never had the opportunity of looking into the pigeonholes. (Laughter.) TARIFF IN DETAIL. The House got to the point of dealing' with the tariff in detail, but it was first asked to approve of a number of resolutions amending former schedules of duties and embodying amendments made as the result of representations regarding the new proposals. The Premier said he was of opinion that most causes of difficulty were now removed, but he was inclined to agree with an expression of opinion by Mr. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) that the method of dealing with the tariff in Parliament was somewhat cumbersome. Mr. Massey took some time to explain ■ the present procedure, from which it appeared that the Customs Bill cannot he introduced until resolutions are passed. He would introduce it and give time for consideration before final adoption, and it would be open to any member to move amendments not involving increases, though he could mov e for reduction or transfer of articles to the free list. TEA AND CASH REGISTERS. "You have not taken the duty off tea," remarked Mr. T. M. Wilford, who urged the Premier to make this concession and place a duty on cash registers. Mr. Massey: I want money, and you can't get money out of cash registers. (Loud laughter.) The Premier explained that cash registers were not made in Britain, but they were wanted by business people, who asked that they should be placed on the free list. He would like to take the duty off tea, but he wanted revenue. LIMIT TO TOTE TAX. Mr. Isitt: A little bit more on the totalisator. (General laughter.) Mr. Massey. If we do much more there it may have the opposite effect. Mr. Isitt's, suggestion stirred members up to counter thrusts, such as Dr. Thacker's 'proposal to tax Wowser advertisements, and Mr. Vigor Brown's invitation to tax pleasure motors, petrol, and kerosene. "We have no strong opinions about a penny halfpenny duty on petrol," continued the Premier. The penny halfpenny does not amount to much. Users would stand in from the importer and never say a word. We want more money for main roads improvement, and this, as well as the tyre duty, is intended for that purpose. Replying to an interjection, Mr. Massey said the kerosene duty would be taken off. Sir John Luke: Will you subsidise local bodies? Members: Don't bring that up. EARMARKED FOR ROADS. Mr. Massey agreed that he could not pursue that point, but he assured the House that the duty would be earmarked for badly-needed improvement of main roads. He would leav e the whole duty to the House, and if it threw it out he would find no fault with the process. After referring appreciatively to the Tariff Committee's work, the Premier concluded with the statement that the general purpose of the tariff was to give greater preference to our fellow citizens within the Empire. Canada had always treated us well, though he did not think they had been able to give effect to the Customs agreement with that Dominion which existed, and there was the South African Treaty, -which required alteration, while in regard to Australia lie hoped before long to see them, as the result of negotiations, in the preferential tariff. ■HXOrB. PROTECTION RISKS. ' AUSTRALIA'S EXPERIENCE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Heoorter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Minister of Customs assured the House to-night that the Tariff Committee had very closely examined industries claiming protection to see if this was justified. The result of their inquiries was to extend protection to a number of industries for the first time. "But," added the Minister, "to show that protection can be carried too far, let mc show where you can land yourself. One of the items in the tariff is confectionery. It was argued in Australia that, being a luxury, it could stand high duty. They put up a very high.tariff wall against imported confectionery, and the effect was the opposite of what was intended. They got no revenue, but big" English manufacturers formed a combine, put up their own works in Australia, and are now in process of ruining local manufacturers. I don't think New Zealand manufacturers are anxious for such a. high tariff as would repeat that experience in Jfew Zealand."