BULB IMPORTATIONS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 32, 1 November 1933, Page 7

BULB IMPORTATIONS

Protest Against Proposal for 25 Per Cent. Duty

CASE BEFORE COMMISSION

A vigorous protest against a pro- ] posal of the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association that a duty of 25 per cent, be levied on bulb importations into New Zealand, except hya-1 ninths and tulips, was made to .the Tariff Commission yesterday by Mr. 11. A. Fox, director of Tanner Bros., bulb importers, and Mr. F. J. Brooker, of the Wellington Horticultural Society. Mr. Fox said if, as the Horticultural Trades Association asserted, a Dutch I firm was offering bulbs retail, free of j freight and exchange, such business was not likely to be successful because all would be out of season on arrival, and the public would soon learn to leave them alone, apart from any inferiority claimed. The Comptroller of Customs (Dr. G. Craig) presided, and he bad associated with him Profe-ssor B. E. Murphy, Mr. J.B. Gow, and Mr. G. A. Pascoe. Mr. Fox said his firm had a wholesale bulb department in connection with its business, and it had at the present moment orders in band for supply in January, February, and March next of nearly 1,000,000 bulbs of various kinds. A large number of these bulbs would have to be imported because, except in certain specific lines, it was impossible to buy sufficient stock anywhere in New Zealand. Efforts had been made throughout the country to buy, but without satisfactory results. There were many definite high grade strains of bulbs, procurable only from the own ers of such strains outside New Zealand. These were world suppliers, and their lines were available at competitive prices. If a duty were imposed, there was reason to believe efforts would be made to obtain control of stocks of certain New Zealand-grown bulbs, in order that, the parties interested might make much higher profits, Mr. Fox said. It was submitted that such a duty would not be in the interests of the purchasing public, who would be compelled to pay much higher prices both for New Zea-land-grown and imported bulbs. In opposing any duty on imported bulbs, Mr. Brooker said it was felt the local nurseryman had such a big advantage by being on the spot that no further protection should he necessary. In addition, bulbs imported from Bri tain or Holland took two years to acclimatise, which added materially to the protection. “Our members also feel that the Horticultural Trades Association does nor always consider the public when fixing its prices,” Mr. Brooker said. ‘‘They are very much higher to-day than they were years ago. unduly so. If a duty of 25 per cent, were imposed, it follows that the local prices would be increased still further. Evon now the public cannot buy as freely as should be the case, because of high prices locally, which is a distinct disadvantage to horticulture in New Zealand. “There are thousands of amateurs in New Zealand who specialise in gardening, and they should have freedom to Import the best strains as they wish Great numbers of these are unprocur able in New Zealand, and one has to import or buy imported stock to get the best. In the Hower world improvements are taking place almost as rapidly as with wireless. If importations ■ are restricted by a heavy duty, it will be -very detrimental to our progress.”