CUSTOMS SCHEDULES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1933, Page 12

CUSTOMS SCHEDULES

AMENDMENTS ASKED

VARYING REQUESTS (By .Telegraph..—Press■ Association.) -CHRiBTCHUKCH, Oetbber 5., ■ The retention of the present duties on spray pumps and clothes wringers was asked by Mr. S. G. Holland, manager of the Chrislchiirch Mechanical Works, while giving evidence before the Tariff ..■Commission today. The present, duties are, British .20 per cent., and foreign 45 per cent. In the past fourteen years it was stated, the tariff had gradually been increased, and every increase had increased the firm's rates'of output to national consumption, and, as the* output had increased/ selling prices had been reduced. . ■ - ■ On behalf of Scott Bros., Ltd., it. was requested that the present duties ou domestic electric ranges, 20 per cent. British, and 45 per cent, foreign, should be maintained. ; Mr. Cecil ■'Peate,1 supporting the request, said that the firm had commenced the manufacture of electric ranges eighteen months ago, arid the product was successful. If the tariff were reduced, however^ manufacture would have to cease, and the capital invested in that branch of the business would bo lost. ■„ ■ . . Mr. N. A. J. McEae asked for increased duties on washing blue and washing and- cleansing powders, which his firm manufactured. j\Jr. C. W. Rudkin, managing director of Lane, Walker, Jludkin, Ltd., asked for duties on artificial silk knitted, pieccgoods of British 10 per cent., Dominions 25 per cent., and foreign 35 per cent., and for duties on knitted cotton piecegoods of British 20 per cent.. Dominions 30. per cent., and foreign 40 per cent. The witness said he realised it would be necessary to get the consent of Britain for an increased duty on British cotton and silk inter: .lock fabric-.- ' " Professor Murphy: 'Do you think it would be expedient for New Zealand to ask for that at present'? Witness: I do. Professor Murphy: What effect do you think it would have on our butter and wool and other primary produce? Would it not play into their hands? Witness: I don't think so. We get our cotton, raw material, and machinery from England. Professor Murphy: I think we have more to lose than to gain by any modification to the treaty at present.