TRADE OBSTACLES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 30, 29 October 1932, Page 12

TRADE OBSTACLES

Chamber of Commerce View TARIFF REVISION “All Sellers and No Buyers* PRINCIPLES DISCUSSED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Oct. 28. A remit was presented at (the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce by Mr. A. M. Seaman (Auckland) suggesting that the Government should introduce a downward revision of tariff on both British and foreign goods, remove the duty surtax, restrictions and embargoes on the importation and exportation of certain commodities. The remit also requested the curtailment of powers granted by Order-in-Council to tlie Customs and other departments which result in uncertainty in trade and inevitably hinder commerce. Mr. Seaman said that the present position was that all countries were now sellers and not buyers. As soon as there was a danger of someone climbing over the tariff wall it was built up further. Keeping Out Japanese Goods. Mr. A. H. Allen said that if a duty of 200 or 300 per cent, were imposed they would not be able to keep out Japanese footwear. Some methods other than Customs would have to ba adopted to deal with that country. Mr. Stronach Paterson said the remit was enunciating general principles. He could say from long experience of the Customs Department that no department carried out its duties so carefully, impartially, and justly. (Hear, hear.) At the same time it was another barrier to international trade to place powers in the hands of an individual which might .at any time operate against international trade. Mr. T. C. Ross asked what clause 1 meant. Did it mean that the tariff would [ultimately be abolished? Voices: Yes. Mr. Ross said that for 1931 the Customs revenue had supplied £7,000.000. If tlie £7,000,000 had to be found by income it would prove very awkward for them all. The country still required reasonable protection. A larga amount of capital was invested in secondary industries. If they were wiped out the employees would have to find work elsewhere. The remit was adopted with tha alteration that it was decided to urge on the Government “as a general principle” to carry out the clauses in tha remit. The word “discriminating”was inserted before the words “downward revision” and the word “vexatious” before the words “powers granted.” Mr. W. Bottrell (Canterbury) submitted the following remit: “That this conference is convinced that the restrictive provisions of the Board of Trade Act, Commercial Trusts Act, and Cost of Living Act operate to the detriment of business and the community generally, and therefore urges on tha Government the immediate repeal of these Acts.” On the suggestion of Mr. Stronach Paterson, the words after the word “Government” were deleted and the following words added, “their radical amendment on the lines recently presented to the Government by a deputation sponsored by this association.” Australia and New Zealand. Tlie Auckland chamber presented & remit, through Mr. Harvey Turner urging on the Government the desirability of bringing about a reduction in tha present trade barriers between Australia and New Zealand, and endeavouring to negotiate with other countries on a suitable reciprocal basis. The speaker referred to the barriers between Australia and New Zealand on potatoes and fruit particularly. It seemed ridiculous, Mr. Turner said, that these two countries could not work on a better trade basis. The position seemed'to be that the two countries felt aggrieved at each other’s attitude. He also felt that the time had arrived when they should try to open up reciprocal trade with other countries, otherwise New Zealand might stand by itself and live within itself. Mr. Machin thought they should support the remit. They might negotiate with the Associated Chambers of Australia, and if they got anywhere they could then negotiate with the respective Governments. The remit was adopted. It was also decided to refer the question to the executive to see if something could be done on the lines suggested by Mr. Machin. Mr. Machin added that they had received a cablegram from the Associated Chambers of Australia wishing the conference every success.