AUSTRALIAN PORK IMPORTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19726, 17 September 1929, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN PORK IMPORTS.

REQUEST FOR nUTY ON N.Z. PRODUCTS. i TARIFF BOARD HEARING. (UNITED fasss ASSOCIATION—BT ELECTRIC TELSOBAPH —COPYHIGHT.) (Received September 16th, 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 16. Requesting a duty of 6d per lb on bacon and ham, Mr Patrick Grant, president of the Primary Producers' Union, who gave evidence before the Tariff Board to-day, said this would keep out importations when supplies were available within the Commonwealth. It would also encourage the production of a better class of pig m Australia. He added: We receive New Zealand's surplus products at a lower price than is received from the consumer Pig-raising in New Zealand is more profitable than here, because of the more favourable climate. This permits cheaper production. While frequently New Zealand bacon is pat upon the Australian market, either as New South Wales or Victorian, the average quality of New Zealand bacon is not up to ours. Witness pbinted out that dealing in pig products with the East was profitable and worth fostering, but it met competition from New Zealand. Mr James Harding, of Queensland, gave evidence that New Zealand pork imports into Australia were increasing at an alarming rate. The duty on pork was only 10 per cent. Obviously, therefore, the New Zealand producers were taking full advantage to dump a portion of their supplies into the Commonwealth. On the contrary, the duty in New Zealand was double, the producers thereby preserving their own market for themselves. The chairman of the Board interjected : You are asking the people of Australia to bear a heavy impost in order to enable you to export your products. The hearina was adjourned. Mr Blow, New Zealand Government agent, is watching proceedings on behalf of the Dominion Government.— Australian Press Association.