THE TARIFF – MONGERS’ SECRET

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 134, 2 March 1922, Page 5

THE TARIFF - MONGERS’ SECRET

REASONS FOR IMPOST ON GERMAN GOODS. There were some more curioue confessions by British manufacturers who want their industry “protected by the (Safeguarding of Industries Act when a Government Committee inquired into the case of the British Aluminium Hollowware Manufacture! a Association at Westminster recently, states the London “Daily News. The manufacturers stated that if a 33 l-o per cent, tariff on imported German goods was not enforced their trade would “slowly fizzle out.” A big collection of frying pans, saucepans, kettles, and metal teapots from German and English firms was produced for tho committee’s inspection. The differences in the average wholesale prices of the articles were given as follow: —

Members of the committee at once pointed out the great discrepancies in prices, and asked witnesses how they thought a 33 1-3 per cent, tax on German goods would help them. They all said it was “a very difficult question to answer.”

“I find great difficulty in answering when you ask me to be a prophet,” replied Mr. A. E. Bixby, manager of the London Aluminium Company, in answer to the query. “But you are asking for the tariff,’ retorted "Sir AV. Acworth, chairman of the committee.

“AVe are asking for it because we are after all wo can get,” rejoined Mr. Bixby, who forthwith qualified his statement with the remark, “I am, at least.” “AVhere do you got your German figures from?” asked the chairman. “German catalogues,” was the reply. “But the committee want to know the. actual competition which this trade is suffering from in London. AVlmt arc the London prices? Can’i you produce a wholesale catalogue from an importing house?” Tho applicants said they wished they could. “Can you give us information,” presseel the chairman, “that certain Gorman goods are being sold at lower prices than you can manufacture them for. and how much less?” Tho manufacturers eventually promised to provide further figures, and the inquiry was adjourned for a week t-o allow them to do so.

Price each. British. German. s. d. 6. d. lOin. frying pan .. .. 2 10 1 11 6in. stewpan .. 2 10J 1 2J 3-pint teapot .. 5 7} 1 6 4-pint kettle .. 5 11 1 10