TARIFF AND TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 112, 7 November 1935, Page 13

TARIFF AND TRADE

CHARGES CRITICISED

IMPORTERS' PLAINT

Nationalism that prevents the free exchange of goods between countries, thus hampering prosperity, was condemned by the president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers' and New Zealand Representatives' Association (Mr. C. W. Budd) at the association's annual meeting yesterday. ,

"We seem to have done everything possible to reduce our imports from Britain, despite the fact that Britain is actually buying more from us today in quantity, though values are reduced," he said. . ■

"We have to express our disappointment that greater concessions have not been.given to the Mother Country, especially in view of the very favourable terms given to us in the recentlycompleted meat agreements. "My association has not the desire to harm secondary industries of NewZealand, but we do object to the high, landing charges and protecting tariffs which so enormously increase the cost of goods to the consuming public. The Australian Tariff Board, after years of experience, gives as its considered opinion that high tariffs are detrimental to the interests of manufacturers of Australia and the general public alike, and do not make for true prosperity. The National Union of Manufacturers of the United Kingdom recently stated in one. of its journals 'that there is no moral or economic reason why the United Kingdom should not do. as other parties to these agreements do and levy duties on overseas produce. We feel confident that when the agreement comes up for review considerable revision will be required.' A CANADIAN EXAMPLE. "Mr. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, contends that the high tariff policy of Canada has aggravated the consequences of the depression in Canada. Statements such asthese, I am sure you will agree, need the serious consideration of this country. We are apt to forget the fact that Britain has departed from the old free trade standard. This is not sufficiently taken notice of .. Our care should be not to alienate the good will of our customers in the United Kingdom. If these large factories feel that we have closed the door to their goods in these markets, it is not likely thatthey are going to take much interest in New Zealand lamb, meat, cheese, butter, and other products. At one time many of these factories were placarded with posters advertising New Zealand products and asking the operatives to buy these products from New Zealand. Today we find that there is little of this, being done, and some of the factories have been asked by overseas visitors why these posters have been taken down. The answer given is: 'Can the visitors state any good reason why they, should be there?

"This will indicate that there is a very strong feeling of resentment among certain sections of the Home communities over the loss of trade in these parts, and we are firmly convinced .that the best thing that could possibly happen for New Zealand would be to allow a very much freer exchange of commodities: We know 'that;figures that are quoted are for the most part.misleading, and we venture ,to say that when the year's figures are available we will find that there is roomfor'a great deal of improvement

in our purchases from the United Kingdom."!

The election of the new council of the association resulted:—Messrs. C. W. Salmon arid W: Simpson (electrical); E. A. Christie and A. L. Wall (hardware); H. P. Wrigley (machinery), A. W.. Hawley (motor vehicles), C. J. Ralph and F. F. M. Ferguson (motor ccaessories); J.; Sadler (motor-cycles and cycles); H. J. Tubbs and G. Heazlewood (paper arid printers' requisites); D. Hogg (drapery); C. W. Budd, J. Matthews, R. J. Booth, and J. F. Riches (textiles); S. B. Harris (groceries and provisions); A. J. Rigg (confectionery); H. S. Hart (fancy goods); G. W. Guthrie (chemicals,- paints, and oils); and L.H. Wood (leather).