THE TARIFF.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14427, 18 July 1907, Page 8

THE TARIFF.

/HE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS

DISCUSSED IN CHRISTCHURCH. The proposed alterations 'in. the Customs tariff wore discussed by business ■ people in. Christchurch yesterday, and many opinions were expressed in regal'd to the imposition of fresh duties. The keenest interest in the subject, naturally, is shown by those whose businesses will be affected by the alterations. Very few people were ready to express a general opinion, preferring to wait until further opportunities are given for considering the details and the probable effects. Mr E. G. Staveley, president of the Canterbury Cliambor of Commerce, and Mr A. W. Beaven, president of the Industrial Association, when interviewed by a reporter, said that the proposals were of a very interesting character, and they would be considered by the committees appointed to deal with-the subject. Most of _ the changes were anticipated by business Hie, but some of the proposals have mtly come as a surprise. A DUTY ON TEA. ■ The proposed duty on tea is not an alarming item. The duty on this article was abolished some time ago,, but, in order to protect local packers, it was provided that if tea was imported in packages of less than one pound in weight it should bear_ a duty of 2d a pound. Large quantities or tea have been imported in small packages, which are made by cheap coolie and other labour. The packers in New Zealand asked that, in order to protect their industry, the duty of 2d a pound should be extended to packages of 201 b. It was thought that this would give some measure of protection - to an industry which is likely to become an important one, as it already gives employment to large numbers of people. The Government has met the tea-packers by proposing to impose a duty on packages up to 51b. All tea imported in bulk win be admitted free, as at present. Mr H. ■ Quane stated that that would be a means of considerably assisting several trades, such as that of the paper-bag makers connected with tea packing. To evade the duty of 2d on pound packets it was previously necessary only to put an extra half ounce of tea into the packets. The tea .'was packed by cheap labour, which did not assist in ' the development of the colony in any way, and the proposed alteration in the tariff would therefore give employment to a largelyincreased number of hands in the colony. The price of tea, he thought, would not bo _ affected by the fact that packing labour was not so 1 cheap in the colony. There was an abundance of competition among local packers that would keep the price down- , A grocer emphasised the fact that tea would not he raised in price, hut he threw light on the position from a different point. The quantity that came into the colony packed in lojoz packets, he said, was infinitesimal, and he had seen very little of it. Cheap packing labour was easily got, and the grocers •usually had their tea packed by their men during their spare time. "WINDOW GLASS. . A local glazier said that, speaking apart from any consideration of rings and combines, there should be a great reduction in the price of glass in the event of its being admitted free. For a long time a firm in England had hod things, all its own way, with the assistance of a preferential tariff. But there were several large continental firms which would now be able to enter the lists, and a large reduction would result.

WHAT THE GROCERS THINK.

Taking the proposals generally, _ a leading grocer expressed the opinion, that; the changes would bo greatly beneficial to. the people. The removal of duty from dried fruits generally was a step in the right' direction, and would tend to cheapen articles of popular ■ consumption. Sugars and confectionery were in the same position. The local manufacturers were turning out a good article, and . those who wanted a much higher class of imported goods would be prepared to pay for them. He would, have preferred to see the duty on tea imposed on anything under 201 b. At any rate, it was a step in the right direction, and would assist local packers and increase local labour. The change would raise, the price of imported candles from 6Jd to 7d, and it would correspondingly assist the local manufacturer, who could turn out as good a candle. Free sugar would assist the local manufacturers. If “ Petroleum oil” meant kerosene, in his opinion, a duty of -}d per gallon was not required. It would mean an increase to the consumer of 6d a case.

“ We make a good lolly here,” said another grocer, “ and anybody that wants a better should pay for it.” Free , dried fruits, ho thought, would be a ■ good thing for the labouring classes, and with 2d a pound off some and Id off : others, people could have plum puddings and other delicacies every day. All, that the grocens could say, ho added, ■ was that they would be heartily pleased to reduce the prides. Sugar would drop a half-penny, and the change in price would he effected as soon as the new tariff came into force. ■He did not understand w r hy blue should •he reduced by Id, as there were two or three factories in the colony turning out a good article. Colonial candles were as'good as anyone could wish, and the tariff would not affect many lines. Most of those; imported were harder sorts, made in special sizes or for special'purposes. He thought that the public could rest assured that there would he ho duty on kerosene. Petroleum doubtless meant the crude oil, which was imported, but was of such a low test that nobody could burn it. The grocers would not lose by holding stocks when the tariff came into force, hut there would he no attempt to keep up prices after that date. There was too much competition among them for that. MOULDINGS. Mr H., Fisher stated that he did not think that the proposal to increase the duty on mouldings from 15 to 20 per cent had been the subject of anybody’s recommendation. Previously the Government had increased the duty from 15 to 20 per cent, and had taken 5 per cent off again very shortly afterwards. The alteration could not assist the local manufacturer, because the class of mouldings required for picture framing could not be mad© in the colony. It would not • matter if 75 per cent,were put on mouldings; ho would have to import, all the same, and the present proposal would simply increase the cost to the public, who would reap no benefit. The industry could not bo established in the colony. There was not the limber, and what was available would buckle in the process of finishing. Mr Fisher produced a beautifully-finished nine foot length of moulding. Ho said that a local mill, to give him the same thing in the rough, would charge Is for the piece, whereas lie could import the finished article for half the price. Fifteen per cent was a fair thing, and the public were used to It. The industry could not he" established locally, and morally there was no justice in increasing the tariff. ' That view was endorsed by several others engaged in the same trade.

removal of duty on motor- ■ CARS. The removal of 20 per cent from motor-cars will mean a largo reduction in cost, and the • tariff proposal is one which the local Automobile Association has strenuously advocated, especially in regard to ■ tyres. At one _ time there was no duty on tyres, hut it >vas

reimposed several years ago. In some quarters an opinion is expressed that tbo removal of the duty, amounting to £l6O on a car at present costing, say, £750, will ho beneficial to the colony in so far as it will increase the popularity of motoring and greatly assist the repairing industry, which is growing steadily and giving employment to a number of hands. On the other hand many persons maintain that motor-cars are a luxury, and the agitation was not so groat for the removal of duty on cars as on tyres. An opinion is expressed that motor-cars will never become a necessary. “It is only the moneyed class that can afford them,” it is said, “ and the owners should bo able to pay something extra for the oars.” It is stated that the principal expense of a car is in the cost of upkeep, which amounts to about £IOO a year. The first coot of the car is not, it is urged, a great consideration with those able to afford one. SUGARS AND CONFECTIONERY.

A rise oh Id per lb in. the duty on boiled sugars and confectionery will not increase the price of; all good lollies, but it will mean that those who prefer to buy English goods and Continental chocolates will have to submit to an, increase. Those who specialise in the sale of imported confectionery say that its equal cannot bo mad© in the colony, and that there will be the same demand for it; while those who press the claims of the local manufactures say that they are good enough and that those who want better- must pay for it. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

_ There seems to be considerable opposition to increased duties on electrical appliances. The head of a large firm of electricians said that his firm made more electrical appliances than any other in the colony, but there was no possibility of competing with the English and foreign machinery. New Zealand manufacturers could not (secure the finish of the imported goods, and could not hope to compete against the prices of the imported articles. The reason was simple. In Great Britain and America work was done in departments, and one set of. men would be employed all the time in making on© thing, so that they could attain great speed and proficiency. _ Commutator winder's in Great Britain, for instance, could do their work for half the cost that would be charged in the colony. In New Zealand one or two men would perhaps have to make an article from beginning to end, and there was no possibility of competition. His firm frequently had to make electrical appliances to order, hut he was absolutely certain that there could be no local industry built BRUSHWARE. The manager of a firm of oil and colour merchants, which has branches throughout the colony, contrasted the proposed_ remission of duty on motorcars, which, h© said, was absurd, with the proposal to remove artificers’ brushes from the free list and impose a duty of 25 pex* cent. Artificers’ brushes, he said, meant painters’ brushes, and he had never seen a brush which could be called a painter’s brush made in the colony. Those brushes had been very costly lately in Great Britain, the cost of production and the price of bristles having risen, and a 25 per cent duty would make the price almost prohibitive. The ruling price for a good brush was Bs, and it would be brought up to 12s. A RISE IN PHYSIC. _ The chemists state that if the alterations are sanctioned by Parliament, there will bo a rise in the price of physic. It is proposed to increase the duty on chemicals, drugs, patent medicines, and sarsaparilla by 5 per cent. The present duty is 20 per cent, and the increase will make it heavy. The alteration, that will have most effect, however, is in regard to the item <(, food preservatives, maltino, chlo.rodyn© and water-hardening chemicals.” These articles are taken from the free list and placed with drugs, with a duty of 25 per cent. Largo quantities of maltino are consumed in the colony, and the duty on it will ho felt hy the consumers. At present maltine is sold in Christchurch at a price considerably lower than that quoted on the lists of», English chemists. Packets of maltino marked 2e 9d on the English covers, for instance, are sold by Christchurch chemists for 2s 3d. If the duty is imposed, the price must rise.

LOCOMOTIVES. There is some doubt in regard to the item, “ locomotives, formerly free, included as steam engines, 20 per cent.” Most of the locomotives imported to the colony are brought in by the Government for use on the Government railways. The item cannot apply to these, as all Government material is free. The only private railway line in the colony is that belonging to the Manawatu Company; in the Wellington district, which w T ill be affected by the change. Locomotives are also used by private individuals and companies in connection with sawmilling, quarrying and other industries, and it is probably these that will bear the brunt of the 20 per cent duty. Some comment is passed on this fact in view of the fact that motor-cars, under the proposed alteration®, will be free. It is stated that motor-cans are a luxury, while plain, unpretentious locomotives and steam engines are necessary for the development of the colony’s resources. Outside of. automobile circles, in fact, the remission of duties on motor-cars will be very unpopular, and will raise some feeling of envy amongst the members of several classes of the community. THE DRAPERS’ VIEWS.

Most of the large drapers approached on the matter of proposed changes affecting them stated that they had hardly had time to give them serious consideration. The head of one large _ house, however, said that the rise in hosiery would seriously affect a large number of working people. He did not think it -was necessary. _ There was no clashing between imported and locally-made goods, but the increased tariff would doubtless mean a rise in price all round. Hosiery was a necessity, while laces, silks and ribbons were a luxury, and he could not see why • the duty should be reduced on them. Cotton was more of a necessity, used by the poorer classes, and the remission of duty would bo beneficial, but linen was more in the direction of a luxury. The proposals would not affect stocks. “ The Government is right-about-face in attempting to cheapen cotton,” said the head of another large establishment. “ Up to tho present the tendency has been to encourage woollens.” Ho wont on to say that, on the whole, his firm was not greatly concerned with the changes. Laces, silks and ribbons would he slightly increased _ in price, but that would make no difference to the firm. The consumer, really, was tho person that would be most interested. In regard to hosiery it remained to be seen whether the public would prefer imported or local goods. A purchaser always looked first for value. In the case of cotton and linen piece goods, 20 per cent would be dropped, but not necessarily on present stocks. BOOTS. “ Tho increase on hoots,” said a largo importer, “ will press heavily on the poorer classes.” He did not think that the ruse would take place only m

imported beets, but in all classes. The consumer would not reap the benefit, but the manufacturer would. If anything, the increased price would not bo felt in boots priced at more than £1 a pair. A boot manufacturer said that the importers had never been very solicitous about the welfare of the worker. Every man, whether a manufacturer or an importer, must look at tho matter from a selfish or point of view. As far as he could see, however, looking at tho matter as a citizen, the Government’s proposal was just, and was designed to shut out a low class of shoddy cardboard boots, against which the workers had frequently' protested. The New Zealand manufacturer did not want to compete against hoots that could bo made only by sweated labour, Tho local trad© did not want to have to make cardboard boots, and if the Government could induce the working man to buy a bettor boot that would last longer in proportion to its cost, it was conferring a benefit on the worker. It was cheaper to pay tiro shillings for an article that would last three weeks, than to pay Is for an article that would last only one week. SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. Tho proposal to place a duty of 20 per cent on surgical and dental instruments was freely discussed yesterday by the two professions interested, and the general opinion was that tho duty was unnecessary. One well-known member of tho medical faculty expressed an opinion that the imposition of a duty of 20 per cent on surgical instruments was hardly in keeping with the Preferential Trade Act. Ho knew that the Preferential Trade Act was to bo extended, but from what tho papers had published it seemed that tho British and foreign manufacturers of surgical instruments would be placed on tho same footing, and as, with tho exception of steel instruments, tho Continental surgical implements wore generally better and cheaper than tho British the doctors would purchase more of the foreign article. Apart from tho preferential aspect, however, the" Government should not place any hindrances in the way of medical men wishing to obtain • a large and varied stock of surgical instruments. New instniments wore continually appearing, and it wasr in tho best interests of the public that doctors should have all tho latest appliances. He had expected that the forcignrmad© instruments would have boon placed on the free list, and ho was very disappointed by the new proposal.

WELLINGTON OPINIONS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 17. Representatives of tho woollen and iron industries express themselves disappointed with the tariff and think something should have been done to help these trades, both of which have a struggle under present conditions. Coachbuilders object to motor-cars coming in free, and think tho duty should have boon raised. Objections arc also raised to the increase on paraffin. Other representative men interviewed expressed satisfaction with the alterations as a whole, ©specialty tho remissions on sugar, fruits, etc.

DUNEDIN CRITICISM. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, July 17

Mr Hen ton, president of the Chamber of Commerce, is disappointed with the tariff, which, he says, gives as much complication as ever, if not more. Ho cannot understand why motor-cars, previously subject to 20 per cent duty, should bo admitted free, while locomotives, before free, are now dutiable to the extent of 20 per cent. He thinks that it is a pity that the, .Government experts could not have framed a more simple and understandable tariff. [From Our Coerksfondent;]

Judging by inquiries made by a “Star” reporter, the tariff revision has not caused much stir in Dunedin. One wholesale merchant hails with satisfaction the abolition of the sugar duty, but expresses surprise that the local caudle manufacturers should be called on to pay a farthing more for paraffin wax. He had expected that tho duty on tho raw material would- have been left as it was, or reduced. The intention| was to assist the local industries. Another merchant approves of raising the duty on candles, as it gives the local people a show. >Ho says: “I don’t suppose that you would find 101 b of sugar duty paid if you called on all the merchants this morning. It has all been bonded, and if the duty had been taken off right away it would not have affected them.” The clothing trade will not bo affected, but the head of a large manufacturing firm thinks that the Treasurer is deserving of congratulation for his efforts to stem shoddy importations. He suggests that goods should be labelled “shoddy” on a ticket, and on the hanger of a coat. . The stationery manufacturers are delighted with the tax on circulars, programmes and playbills, which have been coming into the colony in large quantities. The duty of 20 per cent on cardboard, pasteboard, strawboard, etc., is regarded as a direct slap at the box factory industry. If duty is to be paid on the bottles as well as the cardboard with which the bottles are protected, it will he a pretty heavy tax on tho industry.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —A cursory glance over the tariff, as now amended,, reveals some decided anomalies, such as one would hardly have expected to emanate from j a Democratic Government. Thus, while the duties on ribbons and laces—articles of pure luxury—are to he reduced, the duties upon hosiery and boots and shoes—wears indispensable to every man, woman and child in the colony—are increased. Surely this is making the poor pay for the luxuries of the well-to-do. Of course, it is the working classes, the people whom this Government is professedly so anxious to befriend, that will find the higher duties on these necessaries of life the greatest burthen. Sir Joseph Ward in his Financial Statement tells us that the alteration in the tariff affecting boots has been made “ with the object of keeping out the cheap, inferior qualities .of hoots that have been imported, hut that the cost of those hoots chiefly used by the majority of people will not be greater than at prosent.” This, of course, is, to use an expressive phrase, all moonshine. If the cheap imported goods are shut out the New Zealand manufacturers will, of course, have things all their own way and can charge what they'like for their goods, and had this alteration in the tariff been framed expressly to the order of the colonial manufacturer it could not suit him better. , To the man with a largo family to provide for, the item “boots and shoes” is already a very serious one, and now, thanks to the new tariff, it promises to become more serious still. The promised reduction in cotton piece goods is certainly calculated to benefit the working man, and will doubtless bo welcomed all over the colony. But the most astonishing proposal of all is to admit motor-oars free! Now, it is only the wealthy that can afford to buy motor-cars, and the man who is prepared to spend from £l5O to £7OO, £BOO or £IOOO upon one of these cars

can very well afford to pay duty upon tho same. One feels. reluctant to say it, or to write it, but it really looks as though Sir Joseph, in remitting tins duty, was throwing a sop to the rich in the hope of retaining their favour and good-will.—l am, etc., A DEMOCRAT.