TARIFF INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 113, 16 May 1933, Page 11

TARIFF INQUIRY.

commission's task. report Before October. PROCEDURE OUTLINED. (By Telegraph.—Prtjs Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. For the purpose of taking evidence from desirous of making representations, the Tariff Commission- proposes to vieit various places in New Zealand. A special gazette issued toni;rht sets out the procedure to l>c followed by those making,representations and the schedule of information it will bo necessary for them to supply. The commission is to report on or before September ."0. The Comptroller of Customs, Dr. G. Craig, says any person desiring to make represent*tiouis in person should advise him at Wellington us to the article or 1 articles in respect of which it is wished the Customs tariff uhould be maintained or altered. It is essential that the place or places at which such evidence can be tendered should be stated as eoon as possible. The itinerary of the commission must be arranged early.

Evidence by Groups Preferred. Where any association, organisation or other body representing any particular industry, trade or commercial interest, id in a position to tender evidence of a satisfactory and comprehensive character, and desires to do so, such evidence would be preferred. Where personal evidence is to be given before the commission, the person intending to appear should previously supply, if possible, written information along the lines set out in the schedule. Xotice will be given in the gazette and in the principal daily newspapers published in the district of the time and place at which the commission will sit in the various centres, but it as unlikely sittings will bo held, except at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. All evidence, if a witness eo desires, and subject to the approval of the commission, will be regarded as confidential.

Details Required. The schedule sets out the lines of the information to be given, including details of production, management and distribution charges, as well as the capital involved in a particular industry. Provision is also made for details of prospective industries. It is important that as far as possible all evidence tendered to the commission should relate to specific articles or classes of article, and that, where it includes matters of fact, such as landed cost, manufactured cost, selling prices, the cost of transport of goods or rates of wages, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere, such evidence should be supported by authorities or other documents on which evidence is based.

Any company, firm or person desiring that the existing tariff, on any class of goods should bo maintained, increased or reduced, should give evidence before the commission, as in the absence of such evidence the commission may come to a conclusion that would be contrary to the interests of such company, firm or person, and which might bo other than the conclusion which would have lieen arrived at if such evidence had been tendered.