DUTY ON MAIZE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 35, 10 August 1933, Page 12

DUTY ON MAIZE

RETENTION ASKED

HIGH INTEREST ON LAND

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The retention of the present duties of 2s per cental on maize, and the imposition of a tariff of Is per cental on crushed maize now admitted free, were sought by the Poverty Bay Maizo Growers' Association and by the Grain and Produce Merchants' Association, whoso representatives gave evidence before the Tariff Commission today. Professor Murphy asked one witness if the duty would not injure the poultry industry. The witness replied that in view of the recent price-fall the imposition of the duty would not leave the consumer in a worse position than he was in three months ago. Professor Murphy asked tho price of maizo land in Poverty Bay. Witness: From £20 to £60 an aero. Professor Murphy: That £60 land has to come down. Witness: It lias. It was at £120. Professor Murphy: It is a ridiculous situation, and cannot go on. If you are taking into your cost of production the^ interest on land standing at a past fictitious value it would bo better to get down tho value of land rather than stabilise it through tho Customs. Captain Colbeck (for tho Farmers' Union): If we succeed in getting a reduction of the tariff on tho necessaries of life and tools of production, would it modify your views for protection? Witness: Yes, certainly. What we arej asking for is a really defensive measure,.