CUMBERSOME METHODS.

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

CUMBERSOME METHODS.

MR. WTLFORD'S PROPOSAL. REVISION BY TARIFF BOARD. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. When the Prime Minister moved that the House go into Committee of Ways and Means for the purpose of considering certain amendments to the Customs tariff, Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) rose to further deal with the suggestion he previously made with regard to the establishment of a Tariff Board. In support of this proposal he quoted the Federal Bill recently introduced in the Commonwealth Parliament. He contended that our method of revising the tariff was so cumbersome that any suggestion which might make revision more easy was worthy of consideration. The board consisted of three members, and its function was not to increase or reduce taxation, liut to make inquiry and report upon all matters connected with Customs duties. The Government had set up n temporary Tariff Commission to consider the present tariff, and what he was suggesting was that a permanent commission be set up to keep a careful watch on the effect of the tariff upon revenue and the industries of the country. This would be an advisory body, but with no power to impose any policy upon the country. DUTIES ADJUSTED. Explaining the resolutions that had been brought down the Prime Minister stated that the duty on sugar of milk had been adjusted. As infants' food this combination came in free, and other duty had been agreed to by the manufacturers of condensed milk and glaxo. He was confident the industries of the Dominion would not suffer by the tariff. The industries had a good friend in the Hon. E. P. Lee (Minister of Industries and Commerce), who watched over the interests of industries most carefully. He was not sure that, a Tariff Board, as suggested by Mr. Wilford, would suit our conditions. In any case the linal decision as to taxation must rest with the Minister. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. The tariff, he thought, gave more Imperial preference -than any previous tariff, and in that respect it was a considerable advance. He did not know for certain when the Customs Bill would come down, but he hoped it would not be later than next week. In reply to Mr. Wilford, the Prime Minister intimated that the duty on kerosene had been removed.

Sir John Luke (Wellington North) said he strongly supported Mr. Wilford's suggestion for a permanent Tariff Board.

Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) said in considering the tariff the Labour party would not support duties on articles that could not be produced within New Zealand.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invcrcargill) said in view of what he previously had said in favour of retrenchment he "could not support the suggestion that a tariff , board be set up. TRADE WITH GERMANY. Mr. C. E. Stat ham (Dunedin Central), while declaring he would not himself purchase German-made goods, said it was a fallacy to argue that we should not trade with Germany. If we expected Germany to pay the huge indemnity demanded of her we muet trade with" her. Britain was trading with Germany, and it had been suggested to him that she was taking Germany's cheap goods and sending us her own dear goods. Mr. E. Dixon (Patea), while deprecating trading with Germany, said if British workmen were so unreasonable in their demands for wages and conditions, thereby increasing the price of British goods to such an extent that we could not buy them, we must trade wiih Germany so that the people could get the goods they wanted. Mr. VV. T. Jennings (Waitomo) denied that British workmen were unreasonable in their demands for wages, nor had they been altogether extravagant in their spending, as was evidenced by the vuluu of war bonds purchased by them. Never would he consent to trade with German r until she made full reparation for our sons who perished in the great war. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) argued that the duties on the necessaries of life not 'produced in the Dominion should have been removed. A TUG OF WAR. Mr. Clutha Mackenzie (Auckland East), making his maiden speech, said ho wae opposed to the suggestion that a permanent tariff board be appointed. Such a board would simply become in the tariff struggle what the rope was in the tug of war. Ifc would 'become the centre of contest between conflicting interests, and it would be better if we had the existing anomalies than to have the uncei - tainty which would exist under the tariff board regime.

The Hon. W. Downie Stewart defended preference to British goods on the ground that Britain had made great sacrifices for the Dominions. It would be years before she would be able to pick up her interrupted trade. It was therefore our duty to assist as far as possible. At 11.20 p.m. the debate concluded, and the House went into Committee of Ways and Means. The amending resolutions were passed.