TARIFF CHANGES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1933, Page 5

TARIFF CHANGES

OTTAWA AGREEMENT

AUSTRALIAN ACTION.

(Australian Press Association.)

CANBERRA, March 9

A tariff schedule giving effect ’© the Ottawa agreement, was tabled by the Minister of Customs (*Mr White), ilt provides for increased duties o'n eight- lines of goods and 51 reductions of special duties.. A resolution was tabled freeing from the 50 per cent, laurcha-rgc, thirteen important groups of goods, ftioluding 'gramophone records, motor cycles, and frames, motor vehicle bodies, and assembled motor vehicle chassis.

Excepting by special agreement or until after s * x months’ agreement ur until after six months’ noLce has been given to the New Zealand Government, nothing in the resolution covering special duties will affect a-'-y goon's manufactured or produced in New Zealand entering the Commonwealth from New Zealand. Mr White said that irrespective of Ottawa, this trend in tariff adjustment was inevitable and essential w> bring to a reasonable level prohibitive rates on many items on which the Tariff Board had not had the opportunity ‘to report, as was provided they should do under the Act. Whilo tne might b© unsatisfactory to sincere free traders otr stern protectionists, th© aim was to attain a fair balance between primary and secondary industries, and in conjunction with the comprehensive schedule already before the House, to bring the greatest measure of 'development of employment and general prosperity to Australia.

AUSTRALIAN TRADE MISSION

TO NEW ZEALAND

■CANBERRA, March 9

Reversing its decision earlier in the week, the Commonwealth Government announces that Senator Massey G reene 1© going to New Zealand on a trade mission to endeavour to have the New Zealand fruit embargo lifted. Senator Massey Greene possesses an extensive knowledge of trade matters. He will b e able to go to the Dominion owing to the Senate not meeting immediately. He sails o'n (March 11.

N.Z. TRADE WITH THE EAST

WELLINGTON, March 9

Complete arrangements have been mad© for New Zealand producers and manufacturers to be represented at the Empire E-air, Hong Kong, next May, according to a statement issued by the Minister of Industries and Commerce. Twelve hundred square feet has been allotted to New Zealand free, in th e main building. In addition, space could be obtained at a small charge if (required. / Mr Mast©r s communicated with the principal Chambers of Commerc© and Manufacturers’ Association on the matter, and as a -result, a number of firms have signified willingness to take -part. The Department of Industrie© and Commerce has arranged with th e i Union Steam Ship Company for bona fide exhibits to he carried at half rates between th© Dominion and Australia, and the Australian and Oriental Line, which runs th© service to Hong Kong, has also agreed to carry exhibits at- half ordinary rates.

Oil’ Master© ©aid the Faj.r appears to offer -an ■excellent opportunity for display of New Zealand product© in the East.

FRUIT MARKETING. LONDON, March 8.

Senator Grant (Tasmania) after investigating the .prospect? of the coming fruit season is apprehensive of the New Zealand decision to place all fruit in the hands of one firm, and also of the general tendency to sell fru'it at auction instead of by private treaty. This has a bad effect on prices. The possibility of eliminating the spirit of competition between the various firms previously handling Australian and New Zealand fruit might -adversely affect the growers. DUTY ON FISH LIFTED. CANBERRA, March 9. An official proclamation to-day exempts from sprimage duty fish c-aught by Australian trawlers outside Australian waters. This proclamation is the noqnel- to a trawler’s operations hi New Zealand waters, which raised official doubt© whether* their catches were liable to primage.

CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED

OTTAWA, March 8-

It is learned that certain extenrrons of the Canada-Australia Trade Treaty are now under contemplation and that very satisfactory and cordial negotiations are being carried on. An announcement is expected before long. The natui’p of the proposed extensions could not b e learned. IMPORTANT REVISION EXPECTED (Received Marli 1° et ”.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, M'-roh 10. The “Roily Telegraph’s” corespondent at Canberra that an immrtari veviloon of the tr«de relation 0 he tween »ATK-i>"nli« -ml N Zealand is expected t> follow Mr Green’s visit to New Z.'iland. Under the trade agreement i 0 1992, the Dominion lms .distinct advantages, especially with regard,to dive stock and fish, which are admitted duty free.