WITNESS REBUKED

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 33, 8 August 1933, Page 12

WITNESS REBUKED

REFUSES TO ANSWER

QUESTION ON TARIFF

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 7. A sharp vobuko was administered to a witness who declared before the Tariff Commission today that he would refuse to answer a question put by Mr. A. E. Mander, secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Pcderalion. Mr. H. N. Billiard appeared as representative of Rylands Brothers, Limited, of Warrington, Laneashiro, and asked for the removal o.f the duty on British wiro nails. Mr. Mandcr: Do you appreciate that tho present duly is less than one-fifth of a penny a pound? Mr. Ililliard: That has nothing to do with the question, as far as I am concerned. Professor Murphy: It is only a matter of arithmetic. You will be doing no harm in conceding it. Mr. Hilliard: It .works out as nearly as possible to that. ■ Mr. Mander: "What is tho ad valorem equivalent of the present dutyf Mr. Hilliard: I refuse to answer that. . Mr. Mander: You mean you are unable to answer it? Mr. Hilliard: I mean' I refuse to answer it. - Professor Murphy: I think your attitude is silly and obstructive^ if you don't mind me saying .so. It is rude to the Commission, and disrespectful to tlio manufacturer*' representatives. Please remember whore you are. Mr. Hilliaid: I had no intention of being rude, sir. Professor Murphy: Then why not answer a simple arithmetical question?, 'Mr.-. Hilliard: I have not given thought.to tho question.- ' . ..-,