TARIFF REVISION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 12

TARIFF REVISION

Commission of Inquiry

EXTENSION OF TIME i ; ' ~~~~ Consideration by House EARLY SESSION NEXT YEAR? 1 warrant published in the Gazette issued last evening extends by four montlis the time in ■which the Customs Tariff Commission is to furnish its report. £0 was originally named as the date oy . which the Commission was to report, but this period has now been ex tended to January Si, 1934. Inan accompanying statement the Acting ■primfi Minister, Rt. Hon. J. Coates, announced that con ®J? erat J°" would be given a ‘ the session to the question of o d i our . n, A g Parliament or calling 'aether early next year to consider legislation regarding the revision the tariff. Mr. Coates said that when in May last the Commission was appointed t> inquire into- and report regarding the revision of the New Zealand Custon., tariff, it was fully expected that the result of the Commission's investigations would hjve tX available in ?uffi«eut time to enable the Government to give full consideration to the report and to introduce the necessary amending legislation during the coming session of Parliament. The chairman of the Commission, Dr. G. Craig, before going south, had Informed the Government in an interview that the report could not be available this year owing to the large volume of evidence offering.'and asked for an extension until January 31 next of the time in which the Commission was to make its reis regretted,” said Mr. Copies,, ‘‘th it. the Commission’s report will not be available until the date mentioned, but in these circumstances and after consideration of all factors it was considered advisable to take the course indicated, and it will not therefore be possible to deal with the necessary • legislation this year. “The Government are fully aware of the’disturbing effect which alterations in the tariff have on the business of the mercantile community, and it is their desire that the investigation now . being made should be as complete as possible in order that a Customs tariff may be devised which will meet the conditions of the.country for some time to come. This statement is made now as an indication to the business community that alterations in tariff cannot be effected at an early date. “In the normal course of events Parliament would assemble some time next June, but in view of the impossibility dealing with the tariff this year, consideration will be given to the question of adjourning Parliament at the forthcoming session, or calling Parliament together early next year to consider the legislation regarding the revision of the tariff.” The Customs Tariff Commission, which is at present taking evidence in Dunedin, will commence its sittings at Christchurch on Friday, September St?. ' f ■ ■ '