ADJUSTING THE TARIFF

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 17, 14 October 1927, Page 12

ADJUSTING THE TARIFF

FURTHER CHANGES PROPOSED WHEAT AND FLOUR DUTIES OPPOSITION LIKELY Several additional amendments to the tariff, including an alteration in the wheat and flour duties, were proposed in resolutions introduced into the House of Representatives yesterday. Although the resolutions were formally approved, clear indications were given that the proposals concerning wheat, Hour, and stone would be the subject of some opposition when the details were discussed. Imported wheat, it is proposed, will be subject to an impost of fifteen pence per GOlb. bushel, instead of thirteen pence, the basis for the duty being a current domestic value of ss. 6d. per bushel at the port of shipment, with provision for raising or lowering the duty by a halfpenny for every halfpenny that the current domestic value fluctuates above or below ss. 6d. The duty on wheat flour, wheat meal, and similar preparations of wheat, is to remain at £3 10s. a ton, but the basis for computing the duty is to be a current domestic value of £l3 10s. a ton, instead of £l3 a ton, as was previously suggested in the tariffin the vegetable section of the tariff provision is made for a special duty on preserved peas in tins or containers, including the weight of any liquid. ' The British preferential tariff is to be 20 per cent, ad valorem, or one penny a pound, whichever returns the higher duty, the general rate being 40 per cent., or twopence a pound, with the same proviso. In the floor coverings section the second clause, "inlaid linoleum, cork carpets, rubber flooring, and floor mats of similar material,” is deleted, and for it is substituted a clause, “linoleums, cork carpets, rubber flooring, and floor mats of similar materials exceeding two decimal three millimetres in thickness.” The duty remains the same, at 20 per cent, and 40 per cent. Some small amendments were proposed in the stone section. Marble in the rough is still to come in free, but granite or other stone not elsewhere included in the tariff will be subject to 10 per cent, duty if it comes from a foreign country.. Granite and other stone, n.e.i., which Is rough sawn, but not dressed or polished, will be subject to a 5 per cent, or 15 per cent, duty, according as to whether it is entitled to come in under the preferential tariff or the general tariff. The remainder of the duties on stone are unchanged. In the metals and machinery section the clause dealing with galvanised iron manufactures is widened by including japanned or lacquered metalware, furniture cabinet ware, and shelving specially suited for . office, shop, and warehouse use, which . is made .up from metal not exceeding 0.08 inches in thickness. A separate item has been made of bill hooks; bush hooks, slashers, and hedge knives, and these will now have a tariff of 20 per cent. British and 40 per cent foreign. Previously they were to come in free under the British preferential tariff, and at 20 per cent, under the general tariff.