Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1930. CUSTOMS INCREASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1930, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1930. CUSTOMS INCREASE

is always easy when a Government, whatever its political colour, increases Customs duty, or taxation, as those who may be hit by the new proposals can expound reasons why somebody else should be made the burdencarriers. Mr. Forbes could not have hoped to escape the common fate of Customs Ministers when he announced his proposals, last evening in the House, and he was probably gratified that his critics were, for the most par£ ineffective. New Zealand is already one of the heaviest taxed lands in the Empire where Customs payments are concerned, but Mr. Forbes believes that another little impost or two will not do the nation any harm, and will, also, help the Treasury in its present predicament. Certainly money has to be found somewhere, and those who condemn the latest additions to duties must their censure with constructive suggestions of alternative revenue-pro-duction. No real surprise was announced by Mr. Forbes. Motorists had been warned that the petrol ' duty was likely to be increased, and some prophets had declared this increase would be fourpence a gallon. As it is, threepence is quite enough, and must add to costs of business, as well as of pleasure-making. Dominion timber-merchants will welcome the increased duties on foreign products, as tending to help to encourage preference to N.Z. timbers,, although there is room for even greater protection to so important an industry in this country.

Smokers are accustomed to be “victimised” by the Customs, and will fail to be aroused by the knowledge that smoking, material will now cost them more. The home products should benefit from the new ■ arrangements. Indeed, apart from revenue-raising—this moneys of course, is paid by New Zealanders, eventually—the Government is apparently keen to encourage purchase of Dominion-made goods, which in face of the heavier duties on imported manufactures, should now be able to meet outside competition more easily. From that 1 viewpoint, there is little to be said I against the Government policy, as unless the secondary industries develop, N.Z. will always have its unemployment problem. It is not necessary to comment on all the proposed increases. Taken generally, the selection by the Minister is as good as could be made by others. Not that the last word has been said about new taxation. The Budget has yet to be introduced, and the country expects to learn of further direct taxation. The task is uncongenial for Mr. Forbes, but he must not shirk it. The situation has to be faced, and the lessons taught by recent developments, not forgotten when easier days return, as return they must.