TARIFF AMENDMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 65, 14 September 1934, Page 13

TARIFF AMENDMENTS

ENGLISH CROCKERY

EXEMPTION FROM DUTY

, The Government's intention to afford tariff1 exemption to certain classes of United Kingdom chinawaro and earthenware was indicated by the Minister of Customs (the.Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates) in the House of Bepresentatives last night.

The affected items arc «reakfast, dinner, and tea sets; and cups, saucers, plates, dishes, and similar articles for table use. Up to September. 30 the existing 20 per cent. British proferential duty will remain, but thereafter the goods will bo admitted duty-free.

During the discussion on the introduction of the amendments Mr. 0. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Egmont) said that he was very pleased to see that the Government had made an alteration in tho tariff, on certain British goods. It would be a great help to the poorer sections of the community, and on the household articles mentioned by the Minister would amount to about onequarter of the import price. ' The Government should be complimented, and members would agree that it was a step in the right direction. These goods had been taxed for revenue purposes, and the removal of the -duty would give the British manufacturer a better opportunity of competing with Japanese crockery. The reduction of tho tariff in British goods would be welcomed by the great bulk of people in the country. Mr. Wilkinson said that he had had a similar amendment drafted, and he was glad that he and the Government could agree on one point. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon) said that he wondered whether the proposal in the amended tariff regarding motor bodies was a wise one. As the position was, there was an inducement for the erection of motor assembly plants, and he was wondering if the proposals that were being brought down would retard that development. He thought that there would not be the same enthusiasm on the part of firms to erect plants. •

Mr. A. ■ Harris (Government, Waitemata) welcomed , the proposals as decreasing the cost of living. - Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) said that he would like to know whether the proposals meant that certain tobacco that carried a refund in the past would not now carry the refund. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. Mr. W. J. Poison (Government, Stratford) said that it would have been helpful had there been proposals regarding the stamping of the country of origin on the crockery. Mr. Coates said that the proposals, as far as tobacco was concerned, covered both a rebate and a charge. Previously, there had been a movement only one wayt The matter of the stamping of foreign goods was a very troublesome question. Mr. Poison: I am informed 'that in Australia all goods have to be stamped. Mr. Coates said that it was essential that the Empire should \work together in any steps taken. Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central): The slowest ■' section of the Empire will set the pace.

Mr. Coates said that if it was likely that the people were being deceived, goods must be stamped with the country of origin.

Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs) said that goods sent to New Zealand were stamped with the country of origin till it was found that the stamping was not necessary. The majority of the people who could afford-to buy would not buy a foreign article if they could buy a New Zealand or British article. .