Tariff Commission Hears More Requests for Protection

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 June 1933, Page 2

Tariff Commission Hears More Requests for Protection

WELLINGTON, Last Night. Mr. W, F. Graham, managing-direc-tor Lever Brothers (N.Z.), Ltd., giving evidence before the Tariff Commission, suggested that glycerine from Britain and Australia be allowed to remain on the free list, but that the duty of 20 per cent, on the foreign product be increased to 30 per cent. On a number of occasions he said attempts to exploit the New Zealand market had been made by Russian and German glycerine refiners when they had a surplus, but chiefly owing to the goodwill attached to known British brands, these attempts had been unsuccessful. “We feel that the duty on the foreign product could with advantage be increased to 30 per cent.,” he said. Professor Murphy; “With advantage to whom? To you or to the public?” Witness: “I don’t think it would affect the public very much.” Mr. C. Cory-Wright, principal of Cory-Wright and Salmon, Wellington, stressed the need for preference to Britain in respect to certain items which at present, wore on the free list. A few of these were cylinders for compressed gases, lighthouse material, sewing machines, engine packing, explosives, dyeing materials, drugs and chemicals and X-ray tubes. Witness said so far as his firm was concerned, he wished to confine his representations to cylinders for compressed gases and to lighthouse equipment. Cylinders were the product of steel works of which there were a large number in Britain. He submitted that the amount of preference should be in line with the general tariff policy of the country. Professor Murphy: “You mean that the preference duty should be uniform as far as possible over all the items?” Witness: “Yes.” Professor Murphy: “Can the British industry cater for our needs on an economic basis as compared with other countries?” Witness: “We have secured in recent years a third of the. lighthouse business of that nature, but we lost a great deal of business which we should have got because we were undercut by foreign competitors.” Professor Murphy: “Would 20 per cent, put you right?” Witness: “Yes, on a fair competitive basis. There is special need at the present time to encourage the British manufacturer to stay in the business. They are finding competition from the Continent very severe, so much so that if they cannot get a reasonable amount of preference they may have to curtail their -works. Professor Murphy: “What is the attitude of the British Government?” Witness: “I am afraid I can’t answer for the British Government. During the war time Britain suddenly discovered that she had not adequate means of manufacturing her gun sights and lighthouse equipment is of a kindrod nature. ’ ’ Professor Murphy: “What policy are they pursuing now 1 ?” Witness; ‘ ‘ 1 think they are encouraging their own manufacturers. It is necessary that these firms should get some Dominion trade and that- is the basis of my plea to-day.” The Commission adjourned until tomorrow when representations will be made on behalf of the hosiery and art silk industry. ”