SCALE OF DUTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 233, 3 October 1933, Page 9

SCALE OF DUTIES.

TARIFF COMMISSION.

IMPLEMENTS FOR FARMING.

MANUFACTURERS' EVIDENCE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.* CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

Manufacturers of agricultural implements gave evidence before the Tariff Commission yesterday asking for retention of the present duties.

Lionel Lingwood Cordery, managing director of Messrs. P. and D. Duncan, Arthur Wood Beaven, managing director of Messrs. Andrews and Beaven; and Donald Cameron, of Messrs. Reid and Gray, gave evidence. Mr. Cordery said they did not ask for an increase in the 10 per cent duty 011 imports from Britain. By building to suit farmers' needs New Zealand manufacturers could hold the market. Their main desire was to retain the present tariff, 10 per cent British and 35 per cent general, because it was impossible for New Zealand factories to compete with the mass production goods of other countries such as the United States of America and Canada.

Retention of the 10 per cent duty against the United Kingdom was requested because workers in the industry there were paid about 30 per cent below New Zealand rates. The cost of distribution in New Zealand was so high that this gave a big advantage to the importer. If granted continued protection Mr. Cordery believed New Zealand manufacturers would recapture the trade, find employment for more hands and reduce the cost of implements to the farmer.

Mr. Beaven spoke especially of chaffcutters and seecl-cleaners in which his firm was chiefly interested.

Mr. Cameron said his firm asked for protection 011 those lines 011 which his firm's business had been built up. New Zealand machines were absolutely essential to the farmers of New Zealand.

George Matthew Hall, managing director of Booth-Macdonald and Company, supported the previous evidence. Joseph Robert Hay ward, managing director of Hay ward Bros, and Company, asked for retention of the present duties 011 sauces, pickles and starch. He asked for a reduction of the duty of 75 per cent 011 acetic acid suitable for saucemaking. Charles E. Pope and Hugh T. Falla asked for prohibition- on imports of tomatoes and fruits from countries where tomato wilt and fruity fly were known to exist. Mr. Falla asked for protection on onions to enable New Zealand growers to carry 011. He •suggested a sliding scale. When the local price was £0 a ton the duty to be £4 a ton, reducing by £1 a ton for every £2 increase in the local price, with a permanent duty of £1 a ton.