RETENTION OF DUTIES

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 27 September 1933, Page 9

RETENTION OF DUTIES

REQUESTS BEFORE COMMISSION

ANIMAL FOOD AND CONFECTIONERY.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept, 26. The first evidence before the Customs Tariff Commission to-day related to meat meals and tinned meats.

Mr. C. G. Wilkin, secretary of the North and South Island Freezing Companies’ Associations, asked that the present duties on animal foods, British 20 per cent., Australian 20 per cent., and foreign 40 per cent, should be maintained. He said that the manufacture of these products in the Dominion was a recent development, but plants were adequate to cope with the demands. He also asked that the present duties on tinned meats, meat extracts, and meat pastes should be retained. He said that the maintenance of the production of canning as an adjunct to the freezing industry was necessary in the interests of farmers.

Mr. L. R. Stevens, director of 11. F Stevens, Ltd., wholesale druggists, discussing flavouring essences, asked for a reduction of the excise duty of 20s per proof gallon to 12s per proof gallon on alcohol. If this were done he would not oppose a. corresponding reduction in Customs duties, now 40s per gallon British and 40s per gallon foreign. He said that the high excise duty on spirit compelled manufacturers to make synthetic flavours instead of natural flavours. He made a similar request in respect to perfumed spirits. Mr. James Purtell, secretary to the New Zealand Biscuit and Confectionery Workers’ Federation, said that the manufacturers had asked for the retention of present tariffs. He claimed that the purpose of the tariff was to protect the workers in the industry as well as the manufacturers, but since the last award had expired the workers had been unable to secure a new award unless they were prepared to agree to a 43 per cent, reduction in wages and an increase in hours from 45 to 48 weekly. Professor Murphy: What inference do you want the commission to draw from this statement? The witness: I make this deliberate statement, that if the employers will not agree to anything better than they have submitted they are. not entitled to any protection at all. Messrs Dudlev Venna Wilson and Henry Burrows 'Duckworth, for Duckworth, Turner and Company, boot manufacturers, asked that the present protection on leather and felt slippers be maintained, saying that if the duties were not reduced the industry would continue and progress. He would ask, however, for adequate protection against Japanese competition, which was increasing.