Embargo Asked for On Russian Products

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 July 1933, Page 2

Embargo Asked for On Russian Products

REQUEST MADE TO TARIFF COMMISSIONER WELLINGTON, Last Night. On behalf of the Association of tne British Chemical Manufacturers, Mr F. W. Manton, a director of Mills and Manton, Ltd., Wellington, giving evidence before the Tariff Commission I this afternoon/ asked that a duty of 15 per cent, be imposed on a number of chemical lines from foreign countries. He said the main competition came from Japan and Russia, and he I had been instructed by his principals ' to request the commission seriously to [ consider imposing an embargo on Russian products. | Professor Murphy: Why Russia and [ not Japan? Is it a political reason? | Mr Manton: I don’t know. I Professor Murphy; You should know. | Mr Manton: lam not in a position to judge. Professor Murphy: You come hero and make representations and then repudiate responsibility. Can you offer any explanation why your principals ask for an embargo against Russia and not against Japan Mr Manton: No, I cannot. . Professor Murphy (to Dr, Craig): It is purely political, this Russian business. Mr Manton also asked that a duty be imposed on foreign caustic soda, the main competition for which came from Russia. Dr. Craig; Don’t you get competition from the United States? Mr Manton: Not so much in the last few years. They call their product lye. Professor Murphy: Did the exchange} put them off the market? Mr Manton: I think it had something to do with it. Professor Murphy: It is likely to come back now with the depreciation of the dollar? Mr Manton; It may. Mr W. M. Robson, manager of the machinery department of Levin and Co., Wellington, asked for the removal of the duty of 25 per cent, on British Diesel oil engines of under 800 revs, a minute. He said that the engines were mainly on dairy and sheep farms and were not for transport purposes. Professor. Murphy: Do your principals assume that the whole of the exchange is protective to our industries? If they do they are barking up the wrong tree. The witness: I quite appreciate that. The commission adjourned until tomorrow, when a statement will be presented on behalf of the New Zealand Shecpowners’ and Farmers' Federation.