"NEW ZEALAND-MADE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 172, 23 July 1930, Page 8

"NEW ZEALAND-MADE."

MANUFACTURERS PLEASED.

PRICES WILL NOT RISE.

ASSURANCE BY PRESIDENT.

That the new tariff will not increase the. cost of New Zealand-made goods is the opinion of Mr. G. Finn, Dominion president of the Manufacturers' Association. He said it would probably emphasise the preference for New Zea-land-made articles.

One clause in the Customs Bill, said Mr. Finn, was a safeguard to the public. If manufacturers did raise their prices, the Government had authority to reduce duties correspondingly. That provision was wise, because there was so wide a margin in the costs of production. In the case of the jam industry, guarantees had already been given that prices definitely would not be raised. >

Obviously the measures would benefit local manufacturers. Some liad been singled out for preferential treatment, but he thought that the choice was just. For example, the timber industrywas at present at a very low ebb, and any assistance given to it was a step in the right direction. "Farmers Will Benefit." Along with the business man in the city, the farmer stood to benefit. The abolition of duty on barley, a firstclass pig food, would be a considerable aid. Formerly the charge had been 2/ for 1001b. Further, the small farmer, such as the tobacco grower and the orchardist, stood to gain.

"I am greatly in favour of preferential trade within the Empire," continued Mr. Finn, "and that seems to be the joint aim of the measures. The slogan, 'British-made goods,' should be translated into reality, and this tariff deft nitely favours that."

"Substantial, but justified," was Mr. ?inn's remark on tlic new petrol tax. ;t would affect businesses but little, for very much of the motor spirit consumed was used in private cars, and was, for that reason, a luxury. "In any case, the trend of thought is shown by the fact that everybody seemed to expect a rise in the cost of petrol."