TARIFF REVISION

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 12

TARIFF REVISION

COMMISSION'S SITTINGS

UNITED KINGDOM GOODS

OUR PLEDGE AT OTTAWA

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Duy. The Tariff Commission continued its sittings today. AVilliam Parkinson and Co., Ltd., asked for the removal of the duties on imported granite. A witness said that the United Kingdom imported monumental and decorative granite in the rough from Finland and Hcandinaviu. It was obtained duty freo in Britain, and could then bo exported to New Zealand as dressed or polished granite. In order to compete with the local product, which was prepared from granite subject to a 10 per cent, duty, the firm asked that granite be duty free, whether imported from Britain or elsewhere. This would place them on tho same footing as United/Kingdom competitors as regards the duty on raw material. Granite from Finland was imported under a Scottish name. Mr. John Hislop, on behalf of the Auckland branch of the United Kingdom Manufacturers' and Now Zealand Representatives' Association, presented in general terms a caso for the reduction and abolition of tho duties on United Kingdom goods. He contended that under Article 7 of tho Ottawa Agreement there should bo no tariffs unless it could be shown that goods were being produced in New Zealand and that production could be assured of sound opportunities for success. When there was such an assurance, then Article 8 became applicable, providing for allowing United Kingdom goods reasonable opportunity. Under Article 7 the New Zealand market should be freo to Britain. In cases where no lociil industry had developed he contended that it was beyond the province of the Tariff Commission to permit the revenue aspect to influence its decision. Questioned ,by Mr. A. E. Mander, secretary of the Manufacturers' Association, Mr. Hislop agreed that if upon investigation it was found that the New Zealand tariff-was below the level of the Ottawa formula New ; Zealand would have done all that was required of it. ' " . , Mr. Mander: Do you contend that Britain is dissatisfied with our tariff? Mr. Hislop: Most emphatically I do. Mr. Mander quoted recent Press cablegrams, including Mr. Forbes's statement that'the British ' authorities were fully satisfied. Mr. HislopV My answer is that the! British people honestly believed New Zealand wonld faithfully carry out the Ottawa Agreement, and tho British Government is prepared to wait for the findings of this commission.