TARIFF INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 218, 10 June 1933, Page 12

TARIFF INQUIRY

More Evidence Heard

IMPORTERS’ REQUESTS Variety of Items Reviewed Further evidence on behalf of importers was given yesterday before the Royal Commission which is investigating the New Zealand Customs tariff. The items which came under review included electric clocks, glue and gelatine, dictaphones, load-o-meters, cameras, and dental chairs. The chairman of the commission is the Comptroller of Customs, Dr. (J. Craig, and associated with him are Professor B. E. Murphy, of Victoria University College, Mr. G. A. Pascoe, of Christchurch, and Mr. J. B, Gow, of Whakatane. Application for a reduction of the duty on British-made electric clocks was made by Mr. James Rose Pay on behalf of W. Littlejohn and Co., Ltd. Mr. Pay said that at one time electric clocks were made only in America, but there was now a thriving English industry from which the output was 3,500.000 clocks yearly. These clocks did not compete with any New Zealand industry. Objection to be Lodged. Mr. Paul D. Trickett, representing P. D. Trickett and Co., contended that the landing costs on glue and gelatine imported from America were excessive, and also detrimental to the community in that tlie protection afforded the local product was too high. With the high rate of exchange it was costing 100 per cent, to land English glue; even with the exchange rate at par, the protection to the local manufacturer amounted to 70 per cent. Manufacturing printers considered that the local glue was not suitable and was loading their costs unduly. ~ Mr. A. E. Mander, representing the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation.jisked witness if the New Zealand product was inferior in all cases. Mr. Trickett replied that bookbinders, for example, had stated that the 100.1 l glue was unsuitable for their purposes. Mr. Mander intimated to the commission that an objection would be lodged against the application, and also a request for the subdivision of the item. Duty on Dictaphones. Reduction in the duty on dictaphones and equipment was sought by Mr. Leslie William Woolley, managing director of L. W. Woolley and Cd. Ltd.

Mr. Woolley ‘said that dictaphones were made only in America and had to bear the duty imposed on American gramophones. He also asked for a reduction of the tariff on load-o-meters, which were made solely in America and which were wed for weighing heavy vehicles. In replying to Mr. Gow, witness said that a dictaphone did not record a musical performance. The gramophone was a much more elaborate instrument. There were about 1500 dictaphones in use in New Zealand to-day, but the tariff was killing importation. Camera Sales. A plea for a revision of the duty on cameras was made by Mr. Alexander Beauchamp, managing director of Kodak Ltd. Mr. Beauchamp contended that the present duty was excessive, and said that if a reduction were made sales of cameras and photographic sundry lines would increase. He had no objection to the duty on the latter goods remaining as at present, but was of opinion that unless the duty on cameras was lowered, sales would decrease still further. Cameras were not made -’ii New Zealand. Professor Murphy: Do you say that if cameras were admitted free, the loss in customs would be made up by an increased sale in sundries? Witness: I would go so far as to say that.

Mr. James Smith Macarthur, managing director of the Dental and Medical Supply Company, asked for a reclassification of dental chairs, which at present come under the heading of general furniture. He contended that dental chairs should be admitted free. of duty if of British manufacture and* that a duty of 20 per cent., plus the usual surtax, should be imposed on the foreign article. The Commission adjourned until this morning.