THE TARIFF

Evening Star, Issue 15540, 9 July 1914, Page 4

THE TARIFF

AND THE COST OF LIVING. [Fbom Oun Parliamentary. Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, July 9.

An application of a deputation representing the Federated Timber Workers' Union for an increase in the duty on imported mouldings and doors drew the Minister cf Customs (Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) to-day into an argument on the relation between the Tariff and the rise in the cost of living. Mr C. F. Meyer (Christchurch), on behalf of the deputation, asked for an increase of duty from 20 and 30 per cent, to 50 per cent, on imparted doors and mouldings, which were being brought into the country in increasing quantities by middlemen, who employed hardly any labor. It was a serious matter for the local factories, s-pveral of which, he asserted, had been compelled to close down through this unfair competition. The imported articles came chiefly from Sweden and Norway, where wages and the cost of living wore very low. To show the increase, Mr Meyer produced the Customs returns for the* Port of Dunedin for the year ended 31st March, 1913. Swedish doors were imported to the value of £1,428, against a duty of 30 per cent. ; Swedish mouldings, £262. with a duty of 20 per cent. ; Swedish timber, £6.667; Oregon timber. £16,345; Oregon laths, £955. For the year ended 31st December, 191.3, the corresponding figures were:—Doors £2,264. mouldings £3,029, Swedish timber £2,067, Oregon timber £17,361. The deputation asked for a duty on all small sizes of Oregon under 12in by 12m. The Minister ca-id the Government, when faced with requests like this, were in a sort of a cleft stick. On one side was the cry for reduction in tha cost of living ; on the other, there was a cry for increased tariff protection. The two we.ro' irreconcilable. The Labor party : if they ever cam© into power, would be placed in the samo dilemma. The printing trade had asked for increases of duty up to 100 per cent. We can't sro on putting up duties and reducing the cost oi living at the same time,''' said the- Minister. " A suggestion in the report of the Commission on the Cost of Living was to the ePect that local industries should be gradually pushed overboard. This imported timber had to pay freight over 13,000 miles, and then 20 and 30 per cent, duty on the top of that. Was that not a reasonable tarifi?" Mr Meyer: Putting it that way, it seems so, but. it does not seem to work out accordingly. The Minister: Could you tell me why it does not work out?

Mr Phclan suggested the difficulty of competing against cheap labor and more up-to-date machinery. The Minister : Those doors go into the ordinary house cheaper than what could be bought for manufactured here. If you increase the cost of these things you increase the cost of house rent the cost of living. Mr Phclan : Personally, I would sooner pay 21s more for a pair of New Zealandmade boots than for imported articles. The Minister: That does not stop a working man paying 6d for a packet of cigarettes at a Chinaman's shop when there is a tobacconist handy.

Mr Meyer added that New Zealand goods should be stamped accordingly. The Minister pointed out that some employers considered this would do more harm than good. Mr Meyer.- Employers and employees in t-h« boot trade ha.ve agreed to adopt,the system. The Minister, after mentioning that there would be a conference on that and kindred subjects in the boot trade, stated that the Tariff would not bo dealt with dui'ing the present session.