TARIFF INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 264, 8 November 1933, Page 15

TARIFF INQUIRY.

IMPOSTS ON FUEL OILS. OPPOSED BY COMPANY. (By Telegraph.—Pross Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Requests for the imposition of a duty on imported fuel oils and a protective tariff against bitumen and asphalt in favour of the manufacture of tar, made to the Tariff Commission recently by the Gas Companies' Association of New Zealand, were opposed in representations made by other interests to the commission yesterday. The request for a duty on imported fuel oil was opposed by Mr. J. K. L. Webling, representing the Shell Company of New Zealand, Limited. Mr. Webling said that in many cases a duty would inevitably cause an increase in manufacturing, production or unning costs. In the vast majority or cases there were etrong technical and economic reasons why fuel oil should be used instead of other heat and power-producing agents, and a duty would merely add another burden to industry by increasing cost<3. He submitted that the proposed duty would be contrary to the public interest. The application for a protective tariff against bitumen and asphalt was vigorously opposed by representatives of the Neucliatel Asplialte Company, Limited, and tho Shell Company, Limited. The Gas Companies' Association recently asked for a duty on both British and foreign bitumen of £2 10/ a ton. It was stated that the protection asked for would seriously add to the curtailment of the paving industry by increasing the cost of all road construction. The proposed imposition of a duty of 25 per cent on foreign glucose was opposed by Levin and Company, agents for Corn Products Refining Company, New York, Glucose at present is admitted free except Tor primage duty. |