THE TARIFF. PROPOSALS REVIEWED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1907, Page 3

THE TARIFF. PROPOSALS REVIEWED.

VIEWS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The new tariff came under review by the Chamber of Commerce at a general meeting last night. There was a large attendance, Mr. J. G. Harkness presiding. Class 1., food and articles for human consumption, came under discussion first. Mr. Shirtclitfe said he realised the difficulty of pleasing all sections, and he was not prepared to launch out -into a wholesale condemnation of the tariff. But there were some features that would involve injustice to certain classes. The proposals in reference to confectionery, for instance, were unsatisfactory. The duty had been increased from 2d to 3d per pound, and the new schedulo would inflict hardship on confectioners generally. He moved a motion favouring a reversion to the old duties. Mr. Barker seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr. Manton thought there should be some remission on the duly on fish, preserved and fresh. Thore were 137 cming factories in the colony, "ay ing £7518 in wages, and the trade saould bo encouraged. No resolution w.,a moved. Mr. Meadowcroft said those in the chocolate trade would like to see the old tariff remain, instead of the duty of 3d per pound. . The Government had been advocating a free breakfast table, and cocoa ought also to come* in under ■ the free list. He proposed that British manufactured cocoa should be placed on the free list, and other cocoas on the preferential list subject to a duty of 3d per pounds ,Mr. Shirtcliffe thought 3d was too heavy an imposition to put oh outside cocoas. A penny would be sufficient, and he moved to that effect! Mr:, Manton seconded Mr. Shirtcliffe's motion, which was carried. Complaint was made by -Mr. Reid that certain infants' foods, r which came under "drugs* sundries," were not to be admitted free. There was to be a free breakfast table for adults, and the same privilege should be extended to infants. He moved that infants' foods be admitted free. Carried. Mr. Lindsay congratulated the Government in bringing in certain leathers free. The skins could not be obtained in this country, and therefore the industry would be benefited. He could not say the same in regard to boots and shoes. Mr. Millar thought the sellers were making fabulous profits out of imported boots and shoes, but that was not so. Having to carry a very heavy stock was the drawback. The present tariff was monstrous in regard to boots and shoes; the people would have to pay from 100 to 125 per cent, more than under the old tariff. If a colonial industry required more protection than 25 per cent., the sooner it died the better. He moved that' it was desirable that, the old duty of 25 per cent, should be maintained. , Carried. , Mr. Corrigan complained that under clause 6; clothing and textile, it wa& pro posed that the remission should come into force on 31st October. If that were done the holders of large stocks would be heavily penalised. He proposed that the remission should not come into force until 31st January. Carried. It was further resolved, on Mr. Corrigan's motion, that the words "in the piece" in "linen and union of* cotton and linen not otherwise mentioned" bo struck out. Mr. M'Lellau moved that roofing tiles should bs included in class 9, and also in the preferential tariff schedule. Mr. Palmer, in seconding, said a big industry mighi be started ,in the colony if that were done. The motion was carried. Mr. Meek said the increased 'duties in regard'- to stationery, paper, etc., would mean a serious difficulty to the printing trade,- but the matter had been taken in hand by the master printers, and representations had been made to the Minister. , The duty of 3d per pound on hand■b'ills, .circulars, and posters was object ed to by Mr. Barker. He moved that a duty of 20 per cent, be fixed instead, but ,there was no seconder. - On the motion of Mr. Manton, it was decided to urge that trade catalogues and price-lists be allowed in free. Mr. M"Lellan did not think galvanised iron should be subject to duty. It was an article in great demand, especially, in the country, and the farmers and settlers were seriously affected. The total amount of duty brought in by the impost of £2 per ton amounted to only £28,000 altogether, and he moved that the duty should be remitted.^ Mr. Nathan seconded, but thought it was Teally a waste of time to ask for further remis--sions, as the Minister had to draw the line somewhere, and he had made up his mind. Altogether the Minister had acted satisfactorily, and the matters now brought up should havo been thought, of before final arrangements were made. It was impossible for the Minister to make any but slight remissions now. It was useless to deputationise the Minister further ; he had been kind and more than patient, and they should now endeavour to assist him. The best plan would ba for the committees •to meet again, and draw up the recommendations referred to. Ho did not think there could be many remissions made, however. The motion was carried. Mr. 'Wardell protested against tlw proposed increased duty on cash registers, and moved to the effect that tho Govornv ment's proposal was opposed to the best interests of the trade. In seconding tho Mr. George said the duty would press heavily on small shopkeepers, and it would be impossible to manufacture the machines in the colony. Carried. Atr. Palmer contended that the duty of 20 per ceut. on eloctrical machinery, which wfcs an increase of 10 per cent., would seriously affect contracts which had just been made. H« considered that the new duty should not come into effect until existing contracts had been comtleted, and suggested that the matter be ealt with by the committee. Mt. Phillips condemned the proposal to 'add a further 10 per cent, duty on the importation of dairy cleansing utensils. Many complaints had been mad« concerning the conditions under which dairying was carried on, and the Government ought to do all possible to assist in * the direction of cleanliness. He moved that all dairy cleansing utensils that could not be manufactured in the colony should be placed on the free list. Canied. Mr. Meek moved that butter-paper, known as vegetable parchment, and waxed paper,' wiprinted, be admitted free, ,and not on the preferential tariff. Carried. Mr. Shirtcliffe moved that it be a recommendation that the preferential duty on matches bo eliminated. • The ordinary duties ranged from 30 to 50 per cent., and that should be suincisnt protection for local industries. Mr. Nathan dissented, as the conditions under which the matches were produced in Belgium, Sweden, and other Continental countries made competition impossible. The difference in price to the consumer caused by ihe preferential duty was infinitesimal. Tne motion was lost. It was decided to refer the resolutions 'Arrived at to the committee set up by tho chamber to bring before the Minister.