THE TARIFF.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 14 July 1933, Page 12

THE TARIFF.

RENNET AND ELECTRICAL GOODS. BEPRESENTATIONS FOR ABOLITION OF DUTIES. [THE 7BSBS Special Serric*.] WELLINGTON, July 13. further representations from importer* were heard by the Tariff Commission to-day. Mr R. W. D. Robertson, representing thfc British manufacturers of rennet, mid that British rennet was of the highest quality, and this was the reason why it was able to compete with the New Zealand product, which was lower in price. The New Zealand manufacturer, because of his proximity to the buyer, enjoyed a natural protection even without the tariff. On liquid and tablet rennet for household use, the British preferential duty was 20 per cent, and the foreign duty 45 per cent. On bulk rennet, which was mainly used by cheese factories, the British duty was 10 per cent, and T he foreign duty 20 per cent. It was claimed by the British manufacturers that they were not in the position of • domestic competition and they were entitled to this privilege under the terms of the Ottawa agreement. The New Zealand industry had enjoyed protection since 1927, and it was claimed that it should now be able to withstand competition with its natural protection. Professor B. E. Murphy: If the New Zealand pound went back to par would you concede the New Zealand manufacturers a measure of protection? Mr Robertson: No.

Professor Murphy: You think that they are getting an additional unnecessary protection?

Mr Robertson: Yes. It is only parting the lily. Professor Murphy: You might say it is heaping Ossa on Pelion. (Laughter.) Mr Robertson contended that the ■whole of the protective duties should be removed, even on a par exchange, In order to give the British manufacturer the benefit of the Ottawa agreement. He welcomed the establishment Of the New Zealand industry, which wa» natural to the country and Increased competition, but if anything of a monopoly was created locally cheese makers had the right to a standard equal to that enjoyea in other parts of the world. It was not advisable to place all one's egg 3 in one basket, and overseas supplies were beneficial to the cheese making Industry. There did not seem to be 3ny warrant for the claim by locals manufacturers that they had been under- ** tbe British manufacturers said S; cotl ' d not compete in price with Net/ Zealand firms. The Dominion manufacturers had stated that they had brought down the price, but now they wished to impose a dumping fluty because the price was too low.

"A Two-cdgrcd Sword."

At Its conference the New Zealand u ? lon had urged the free entry ot British food* as a palliative against the suggested quota on New Zealand products.

Profeopor Murphy: But they are in xavour of the exchange rate, which you say is hindering British imports. Mr Robertson; Some of them are in Xavour of the exchange rate. Professor Murphy: If you look for confirmation to the Farmers' Union may be using a two-edged sword. »Ir Robertson: The official body of larmers have passed a resolution in favour of the free entry of Eritish goods.

Professor Murphy: When the official body speaks with two voices, which voice are we to listen to? Mr Robertson: I think I know the lamer fairly well. Professor Murphy: Even if you a dea£ y° u could not help hearing him. y Mr A, E. Mander, secretary of the £j«w Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, asked whether the price in England was higher than the price in Kew Zealand.

Mr Robertson said that he was not iamiliar with the retail trade. Mr Mander: You are not In a position to say whether there ia dumping or not.

Mr Robertson said that he was not aware of any dumping, and was in w!Sj , with English firms. The Sffi? ™ >??. P ak « who made caeese on his farm bought small Quantities and this might mean That fie would have to pay a higher price. Mr * B - Q° w . witness »ta tnat he made no reflection on the quality of the New Zealand rennet. Electrical Goods. Mr E. F. Hollands, on behalf of the T , Power Boards and Supply Authorities Association of New Zealand applied for the removal of the duties on all electricity-consuming appliances. He said that it was the function of the electric supply authorities to purchase electricity in bulk irom the Government and sell it to the consumer. There were some conSUCh as Metric ,motor j that were admitted dutv free Irom the United Kingdom, but the most Important part of the revenue ©I the,supply authorities was derived Brom cooking and heating appliances industrially, and domestically. If electrical-consuming appliances could be sold at lower prices, it would stimulate sales and j the supply authorities would sell' more electricity. A demand for more units of electricity would enable the ■upply authorities to reduce their charges. The result would be a S eater demand for energy from the >verament's hydro-electricity scheme return in revenue to Jneet the heavy charges that had been incurred in providing a national acbeme which was designed to supply •lectricity to 93 per cent, of the population of New Zealand, and which now required development and was hungry for load.

New Zealand Ranges. Mr Hollands said that objection might be raised to the elimination of the customs duty, because of the possibility of manufacturing electric ranges in the Dominion. They had 'liven attention to this aspect of the question, and to the possibilities or manufacturing electric ranges in New Zealand for profit, and felt that the position was not a sound one commercially. From a manufacturing Kilit of view an electric range might compared witK a motor-car, which changed in design and fashion very rapidly, in fact, an electric range desrtgned to-day might be out of fashion Jn three or four years' time owing to improvements in general design and appearance. The New Zealand manufacturer, in order to be successful, would have to meet these conditions, and with his limited output at vary heavy expense, a very few years Would eat up any profits made in the meantime. Mr A. C. Day, representing Turnpull and Jones, Ltd., aslced for alterations in the tariff on a number of •Itttricftl fittings and appliances. I J. Oraydon, managing director of *. Watson and Sons, Ltd, sought the tvtontlon of X-ray tubes and drugs •ad chemicals used in radiology on the free list irrespective of their source of origin. The commission will commence its tftttpgs at Auckland oa August 1, . $