TARIFF CHANGES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22343, 5 March 1938, Page 6

TARIFF CHANGES

♦_—_ Opposition Request For Discussion NO ASSURANCE FROM PRIME MINISTER [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.J WELLINGTON. March 4. No undertaking can be given >by the Government that Parliament will have an opportunity this session to discuss the long list of tariff changes which was announced by the Minister for Customs (the Hon. W. Nash)'last Monday night. Copies of Orders-in-Cbuncil giving effect to the tariff increases were tabled by Mr Nash in the House of Representatives to-day, but the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) did not react sympathetically to a suggestion from the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) that there should be a discussion on the question of policy involved. "I think we should have some opportunity to discuss these tariff alterations," said Mr Hamilton,. "Such changes are generally made by the passing of customs resolutions and legislation, and the matter can then be fully debated. The changes on this occasidn have been made by Order-in-Cduncil, and unless the Prime Minister gives us an opportunity we will be unable to discuss them." Flogging a Dead Horse "I cannot see how that could be done," said Mr Savage. "It would be flogging a dead horse in any case. I have no objection . to members tfUkihg about the tariff changes. Seeing that it is election year it might help theih. However, the job is dope." ...Mr W. J. Broadfdot (National, Wgjtoffid): So are the people. Mr W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago): Objections have not been considered.

"We said we would do the job, and wis have done it;" said the Prime Minister. "It was nbt unusual in i the past for nothing to be done, but 5 we; ate altering that." Mr Bodkin: How about the exchange rate and the sales tax? "I dd hot see what can be done in the matter," said Mr Savage. "If it is {possible to arrange a discussion that will be all right, but I am hot asking 80 men tb stay here and talk about, something that has already been done." The Rt. Hon. J, G. Coates (National, Kaipara): More dictatorship. MANtifrACtOttEftß* fcEI'LY to citiftcisM SOME INDUSTRIES StIU, IN DIFFICULTY (FEES* 4BBOCIATION IEI.tnttAU.I WELLINGTON, March 4. The secretary of the Wellington Manufacturers' Association (Mr Nisbet), in discussing the new tariff adjustments, said that on the whole they had given satisfaction to manufacturers ih Wellington, although there were still some Industries faced with a serious restriction Of their output because of foreign competition. He referred more particularly, he said, to manufacturers of underclothing for men and women. The position of this industry was really serious, and had not been materially improved by the tariff adjustments. He ridiculed the outcry about New Zealand children going. barefoot. New [Zealand factories could easily.produce ■ far more sandals., than this'country could possibly use. There had also been a cry about women's white shoes. He had personally investigated one such line being sold.by jobbers in England at a. price enabling them to be landed in New Zealand at 4s 3d a pair. They retailed at 13s lid.