IMPORTED GOODS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 October 1924, Page 8

IMPORTED GOODS.

CONTAINED BRITISH VALUE. QUALIFICATION FOB PREFERENCE. The Government’s decision to raise froin 25 to 75 per cent, the ratio of J)i it 1s h value in. imports to qualify for preferential Customs treatment is viewed with diverse opinions in the city. A considerable proportion of the Auckland importers, will admittedly be hit more or less under the propbsed new regulations, but on the.other hand an influential section expresses itself whole-neartedly in 'accord' with the Government’s announcement. ! The Auckland Chamber of Commerce has officially identified itself with the proposed change, and for some time has been pressing the Government to increase the ratio to 75 per cent. A short time ago, however, the chamber was given to understand departlnentally that to all intents and purposes the ratio would be fixed at 50 per cent. Realising that this would double the existing ratio, the chamber contented itself with the concession, and officially acquiesced in the proposal. Officials of the chamber now make no secret of their satisfaction that the (government has adopted the ratio which the chamber originally advocated. Mr. A. A. Martin, chairman of the chamber, expressed complete approval of the Government’s decision. ’The step was obviously takenf he said, to promote and protect British , and colonial industry. It might be true that some New Zealand importers would be adversely affected, but those who deal in staple manufactures, such as steel and iron, and hardware, would welcome the change. “No' doubt the Government has reviewed the facts as applied to the Dominion and The Commonwealth, and has found, it expedient to increase the ratio to l 75iper cent.,” said Mr, Martin. “Furthermore, in view of the enormous amount of hydro-electric and other machinery which will be imported into the Dominion in the near future, it is quite probable that this fact was taken into consideration to- ensure the Dominion obtaining the goods from within the Empire.” Support of the increased ratio was also forthocming from Mr. J.’ A. C. Allum, president of the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association, who pointed out that it was the Industrial Association which first brought the desirability of this matter to the Government’s notice, some two years ago.