TARIFF INQUIRY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11946, 17 May 1933, Page 5

TARIFF INQUIRY

COMMISSION TO START WORK SHORTLY. PUBLIC SITTINGS THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND. \ . Report to be presented, on SEPTEMBER 30. (I’resß Associations - WELLINGTON, May 16. The ’Royal Commission which proposes shortly to commence an ’ investigation of the New- Zealand tariff, will. hold sittings in -public in various parts of the Dominion. ' As- a preliminary, it has invited evidenco regarding the Customs tariff from any association, organisation or representative of any trade or industry, while the commission itself reserves the right to require such evidence. Though the proceedings will he public, provision will be made to receive evidence confidentially. where desired.

As the whole of the tariff is to bo reviewed, an important warning is given by the commission that any individual or company desiring that the existing tari; should be maintained, increased, or reduced, should give evidence, as in the absenco of such representations the commission mav come to a conclusion contrary to tho interests of such individual or company, and different from that which would have been arrived an had the evidence been tendered. Tho chairman of the commission is Dr. C, Craig, Comptroller of Customs. Its (report is due on September 30.

For the purpose of taking the evidence of persons desirous of making representations, the commission proposes to visit various places in New Zealand. A. special Gazette issued last night sets out tho procedure to be followed by those making (representations, and the schedule of information it will be necessary for these people to supply. WARNING TO THOSE INTERESTED. A statement explaining the- Pro- - cedure, signed by the Comptroller, says any person desiring to make representations in person should advise him at Wellington as to the article or articles in respect of which : it is wished that the Customs tariff should be maintained or altered. It i s essential, the statement proceeds, that the place or places at which . such evidence can be tendered should be stated as soon as possible, as the itinerary of the commission must be '.arranged early. "Where any association, organisation, or other body representing any particular industry, trade, o r _ commercial interest is in a position to tender evidence of a satisfactory and comprehensive character, and desires to do so, such evidence, would be preferred. Where personal evidence is to be given before the commission, tho person intending to appear should previouslv supply, if possible, written information along the lines set out an the schedule. SITTINGS MAY BE CONFINED TO FOUR CENTRE'S. : Notice will be given in the Gazette and in the principal daily newspapers published in the district as to the time and place at which the commission will sit in various cen tres, but it is not likely that sittings will he held except at Auckland,- Wellington, -Christchurch and Dunedin. • • . As the' commission is to report nc* fore September 30, it will be necessary for those interested to indicate as. soon as possible the matters open which they desire to make representations.' ‘All tho evidence, if the ; witness -so desires, and subject to the approval of the commission, vill bo regarded as confidential. ' Th<T schedule sets <mt-the-lines- of information to he given, including details of production, management, and distribution charges, as well as ; the capital involved in the particular industry. Provision is also. mac.e tor details of prospective industries.

FARMING f COSTS NO INVESTIGATION, SAYS MR COATES The inquiry into tariffs which the Government proposes to hold will not be extended! to include, an investigation of farming costs, according to J letter from, the Minister of Finance the at. Hon.. J. G. Coates, received at a .meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Associate The Minister wrote saying that the suggestion that the proposed inquiry into tariff matters should he extended "to cover an investigation, of farming costs have been carefully considered, but he didi not think anything was. to bo gained by adopting the suggestion A (Customs tariff provided a measure of protection for manufacturing industries, added Mr Coates, anc was obvious [that alterations could not be madd in tho tariff without careful Consideration of the effects -on local industries. The primary m dustries, however, had to sell r e ' built, of then*, produce m the tworld • miaT kbts and! obtained no -such pTotecS!n t fact, all tariffs tended to m-gj-gase the working Costs of farming, hie had no doubt that some farms Xioosly ■«■* rl farn" aneconomic- lines, but such farms dotdd not carry on for long m the £e of the present prices irvroduee. No official investigation therefore Appear to be necessary: