RADIO INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1933, Page 8

RADIO INDUSTRY

LOCAL MANUFACTURERS

TARIFF REQUESTS

Representations on behalf of two local firms of radio manufacturers were made to the Tariff Commission today.

Mr. A. M. Anderson, representing the Badio Corporation (N.Z.), Ltd., said that the present rates of duty on complete radio sets were 10 per cent. British and 35 per cent, foreign. Component parts were admitted free from England and Australia, but the foreign duty was 25 per cent., They had no objection to English sets being admitted, and it was not desired that any duty should be placed on English component parts. On foreign radio seta they sought a duty of 25a per valve socket, instead of an ad valorem basis, but asked for the free admission of those parts not manufactured in New Zealand. Mr. Anderson said that they wanted the Australian tariff to be fixed on a basis of reciprocity. The company had started manufacturing in New Zealand in 1932, and owing to successful competition, the price of imported radio sets had been considerably reduced. They claimed that in quality their sets were superior to the imported sets as far as local reception conditions were concerned, but they had to contend with a prejudice in favour of American makes. They wanted a duty winch would help them to overcome this prejudice, and if they were successful they would be able to pass on the benefit of lower price's'to the public. It was not a question of asking for protection in order to raise the price, as increased output would lower the price. It was their intention to develop the manufacture of radio sets until they became a self-contained unit, and they would shortly commence the manufacture of loud-speakers. Mr. T. L. Badger, representing Collier and Beale, Ltd., asked for a duty of 25s per socket valve, or 35 per cent, ad valorem, whichever was the greater, on foreign sets and chassis, and from 10 to 15 per cent, on British sets' and chassis. They desired the free importation of parts which could not be made in New Zealand. Unless the duty was raised against imported sets they would be severely handicapped. Mr. B. Ginger, representing Frederick Steams and Co., Ltd., Sydney, askod that certain lines manufactured by the company be classed as medicinal preparations instead of medicated confectionery. That would mean a deduction in the duty from 25 per cent, to 20 per cent. ; ____^^_