THE TARIFF

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 8

THE TARIFF

COMING- INQUIRY

TO COMMENCE SHORTLY

It is understood that tho personnel of the Commission which is to inquire into the New Zealand Tariff, in accordance with tho agreement reached at the Ottawa Conference, has been finally drawn up, and that it is awaiting formal approval by Cabinet. The, Commission is likely to make an early start on its work, which will be of a protracted nature, and which it is hoped "to complete in time to permit of Parliament to revise the schedules next session. It is expected that tho Commission will bo limited to three members—probably a leading commercial man, an economist, and tho Comptroller or" Customs (Dr. G. Craig). The chief duty of the Commission will be a complete investigation of the Tariff of New Zealand, the object boing to place the British manufacturer on tho samo basis as tho domestic manufacturer. In its investigation of the Tariff the Dominion is bound by the following clauses in the Ottawa Agreement:— " "His Majesty's Government in New Zealand undertakes that protection by tariffs shall be afforded against United Kingdom products only in those industries which aro reasonably assured of sound opportunities of. success. "His Majesty's Government in New Zealand undertakes to institute an inquiry into the existing protective duties and where necessary to reduce them as speedily as possible to such a level as will place the United Kingdom manufacturer- in tho position of a domestic competitor —that is, that tho' protection afforded to tho New Zealand producer shall be on a level which will give tho United Kingdom producer full- opportunity of reasonable competition on the basis^f the relative cost of economical and efficient production. "His Majesty's Government in New Zealand undertakes that United Kingdom producers shall have the opportunity of putting forward their views in connection with the inquiry referred to." -