FEDERAL TARIFF

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 6

FEDERAL TARIFF

READJUSTMENT AND CHANGES INTRODUCED IN HOUSE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CANBERRA, November 2-1. In tho House of Representatives the Minister of Customs introduced tho new Customs tariff, involving many readjustments and olufnges. Ho explained that the features of the now tariff aro a reduction of duties on goods in general use, provision lor important new industries, increase of protection for national and essential industries, preference on many items, and practical steps towards interempire trade. Tho reductions in revenue as a result of the new schedules are expected to balance the increases, and no additional revenue is anticipated. Am.ongst the recommendations of the Tariff Board in the interests of tho potato industry is an increase in duty from Is to 2s 6d a cwt.

NEW ZEALAND GOODS EXEMPT

CANBERRA, November 24. (Received November 25, at 1.30 a.m.) The new Tariff Bill operates from 9 o’clock to-morrow morning, but the preamble contains the following proviso:—“That excepting -by mutual agreement, or until after six moutha* notice has been given to tho Government of the Dominion of New Zealand, nothing in this resolution shall affect goods, tho production or manufacture of the Dominion of New Zealand, entering the Commonwealth of Australia from the Dominion of New Zealand.” BRITISH PREFERENTIAL TARIFF. COMPARATIVE VALUES. CANBERRA, November 25. (Received November 25, at 8.20 a.m.) In the House of Representatives, replying to a question as to the comparative values of tho preferential policy to British and Australian industries, the Minister of Customs said that during tho five years ended June, 1926, tariff rebates totalling £36,470;000 were granted on goods imported from Britain. 'The latest British figures available were for 1925. These showed that in that year British rebates on Australian goods amounted to £471,441. PROTECTION BEFORE PREFERENCE. BUT NET GAIN TO EMPIRE TRADE. CANBERRA, November 25. (Received November 25, at 11.25 a.m.) Mr Pratten, Minister of Customs, when introducing the new tariffs, said that the alterations in the tariff items and sub-items numbered 135. Of these twenty-four dealt with reductions in duty, in many cases on popular and revenue-producing items. The number of duties which were increased in both tho British and foreign schedules was twenty-three. The number of foreign duties in which increases were made without increasing the corresponding British rate was twenty-six. Ten alterations were proposed for the rectification of anomalies. In _ addition there were fifty-three alterations, giving increased preferences to tho United Kingdom. The total proposed alterations in that direction increased British preference. It was estimated that these would bo of ultimate value to British trade of nearly £1,500,000, and > would increase the total preference given to the United Kingdom to more than ten millions sterling -annually once the tariff was in efi eetiv- operation. There would be no net increase in the .Customs revenue, nor any further tax upon the community as a whole. Further help wouM bo given to Australian factories by alterations that would capture three millions sterling worth of present British trade and three millions’ worth of foreign trade. Britain, by virtue of her increased preference, should also bo able to capture half of the remaining foreign trade in the items affected, so that tho net gain to Empire trade expected to be brought about bv tho proposals was approximately eleven millions sterling, of which tho Australians’ share would bo six millions, and Britain’s nearly five millions. This estimate was based on the fact that tho foreign trade in the items in question now totalled eighteen millions sterling annually.