MAIZE DUTY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10920, 11 June 1929, Page 2

MAIZE DUTY

PR OTEST. AG A INST IMPORTS

MINISTER REPLIES TO POVEE- .» TY BAY FARMERS

TARIFF CLASSIFICATION QUITE CORRECT

A deputation representing Gisborne maize-growers waited on the Minister, for Agriculture,, the Hon. G- W. Forbe.s, when he was in Gisborne a few months ago, protesting against the importation of cracked maize as crushed maize, thus having to pay no protective duty. Mr Geo. Witters, was the principal speaker in the deputation and, through him, the local branch of the Farmers’ Union lias received the following reply:— “With reference to the representations in regard to the duty on imported maize made to me by a deputation from the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union, and in connection with which you wore the principal speaker, 1 how beg to inform you that the matter was referred to the Hon. 'Minister of Customs, who has now advised me that the present duties are fixed by law and cannot he altered without the authority of Parliament. The whole question as to the duties which should be imposed on maize and op nil maize products will he carefully gone into on the next occasion on which the tariff schedules are being revised. “In reply to tire more detailed representations the lion. Minister of Customs replied as follows: “ T understand that when Iho tariff was passed in 1927 there was the usual conflict of interests between the growers of maize on the one hand and the users of this product on the other, and that after considerable discussion a compromise was reached respecting the matter. Under this t lie rate of duty on whole maize, was Used at 2s per cental, while crushed or ground maize, was exempted irqin duty under the British preferential tariff, hut made liable at Id a Hi. under the general tariff. “‘I am advised that the following figures show the total importations ol whole maize and crushed and ground maize dm .in. I lie calendar years 1921-28: 1921 ll.lSfi centals: 1925. 81,55.1.; 1926, 101.868: 1927. 72.303: 1928. 25.282.

“From these it would appear that the importations during 1928 were less Ilian during any ol the preceding four years. With respect to the importation of Java maize, it would lie of interest to you to know that during 1928 no maize was imported from the Dutch East Indies. Regarding the point mentioned hv one of the members of the deputation that cracked maize was admitted free .of duty. J have to inform you that such maize is considered to lie correctly classed under the tariff’ heading (maize ground or crushed, n.e.i.) referred to above.'