PREFERENTIAL TARIFF

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 4

PREFERENTIAL TARIFF

Little Support for Auckland Criticism By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, November 1. The preferential margin given in New Zealand’s tariff schedule to Great Britain over foreign countries was criticised by Auckland Chamber of Commerce representatives in a remit presented to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand in Christchurch to-day. The main contention was that New Zealand was not in a position for tariff bargaining, and was provoking foreign reprisals by its present policy at a time when everything should be done to cause an expansion of markets for New Zealand’s primary produce. The remit was defeated by a large majority after a long debate, the majority of the speakers favouring support for the Government’s scheme of bargaining on the basis of the present tariffs and reciprocal trade. A remit was carried unanimously deprecating continued interference by the Government in business and the continuation and extension of competition by the State and local bodies with established private business. The remit mentioned specifically the fixation of the price of superphosphate, the restriction of trading activities under the new marketing regulations of the Dairy Board, the extension of the scope of the mortgagors’ and tenants' relief legislation by the Act of 1933, competitive tendering by the Government Printing Office for business, the creation of a buying department at the High Commissioner's office, the erection of buildings by the Government and local bodies in excess of their needs providing surplus accommodation for letting.