“DISAPPOINTING TO N.Z. MANUFACTURER”

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3614, 15 September 1927, Page 7

“DISAPPOINTING TO N.Z. MANUFACTURER”

Little Enthusiasm In Tariff Alterations CONSENSUS OP OPINION IN AUCKLAND [“Times” Special.] AUCKLAND, Last Night. The tariff proposals have not aroused much enthusiasm in Auckland amongst c ommercial circles. Here are some of the principal views: “Very disappointing from the point of view of the New Zealand manufacturer.” was the opinion expressed by Mr. J. A. C. Album, president of the Manufacturers’ Association. Tire Government, he said, had voluntary granted a big increase in protective duties to British goods without making any conditions as to the selling price or origin of raw materials. But it had done practically nothing for New Zealand-made goods despite the fact that the Dominion manufacturers had repeatedly expressed tlveir willingness to make no increase in their selling prices if an increase In protective duties was given. Neither the millers nor .workers according to ,the views expressed by their representatives this morning are particularly pleased with the Government's answer to the Timber Trades’s S.O.S. There is a provision for heavier duties on Imported timbers particularly in smaller sizes and dearer houses arc predicted as tho consequence. Big Blow fo Movies. According to an Auckland firm people are amazed at tire proposed “triple tariff” on American films. The industry expected an increase in duty but tho proposed jump from one penny per foot to threepence is regarded by several as monstrous, “It is the biggest blow tire industry has ever had In New Zealand,” said Mr. Henry Hayward,, one of the best known film men In the Dominion, who is managing director of tire Puller—Hayward Theatres. People don't realise what an increase such as the one proposed will mean. People may think that the new tariff will give a deal of aid to British productions but that is absurd. There is only one thing that can put a production on the market and that is merit. It is all a matter of mailing good pictures.” Dearest Loaf in World. “New Zealand is in the Invidious position of having tho dearest loaf in the world,” said Mr. A. G. Lunn, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day. The Government's decision to place a duty upon flour and wheat, ofie of the most important of foodstuffs, appears to him extremely regrettable. The price of the loaf, he said, had always been for any country s. matter of first consideration. Bread was the staple food of the people and it should be kept at the lowest price possible. No doubt the sliding scale was a gratifying feature, however, because it would operate to Increase the duty as tho market for wheat fell and reduce It as tire market improved thus tending to stabilise price. “A Sigh of Relief.” “I think there will be a sigh of relief in the drapery trade that the result is as good as it is,” said Mr. J. R. Rcndell. “The reductions that have been made in connection with textiles are satisfactory and are all in favour of the local manufacturer,” l^e' , said. "They have been made in what we call bread and butter lines and it, is the buyer of moderate moans who will benefit. will benefit. Towels, quilts and table napkins are some of the articles on •which reductions have been made and that is a step in the right direction as they are not manufactured In the country. CHANGES TO DISADVANTAGE OF MOTOR BODY BUILDERS. CHRISTCHURCH OPINION. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The motor body builders of Christchurch declare that although the Minister of Customs ia his speech proposed that he was helping motor body builders hy his tariff amendments the real effect of the changes will be very much to their disadvantage. It is stated that two firms cancelled contracts for timber and other materials to-day and that other cancellations will follow. One proprietor told a reporter that thirty of his men will bo given notice this week. There are 250 men employed by motor body building firms in Christchurch. The body builders asked the Government for free admission of British chassis and a reduction from 35 to 20 per cent, on foreign chassis. Those requests have been refused. It is pointed out that the preference given to knocke'd-down bodies for reassembling in New Zealand will penalise British cars no less than local body builders. British manufacturers, they state, arc not in a position to send out knocked-down bodies for re-assembling and the benefits of those provisions will go wholly to America, particularly to

those American firms with plants in Canada, by which they secure the British preference. The assembly work done in New Zealand on knocked-down cars and bodies is done, it is stated, chiefly by unskilled labour and no New Zealand materials are used.

TIMBER GIVEN SOME SORT OE PROTECTION. SAWMILLERS ’ SECRETARY SATISFIED. WELLINGTON, J/lßt Night. Mr. Arthur Seed, secretary of the. Dominion Federated Sawmillers' Association, to-day expressed himself gratified that the Government had at last given the timber industry some measure of reasonable protection, although the amount of ihcrease was not quite as much as had been hoped. The actual increases scarcely made good the additional burden of railway freights which, since 1917, had increased by approximately 2s per 100 super feet and the burden of royalties which had increased fully Is 6d a 100 feet. Nevertheless, raising a Customs barrier to even this small extent should at least place New Zealand sawmillers in some competitive position w-ith the foreigner, . Mr. Seed was disappointed no additional barrier had been placed against timbers coming from XJ.S.A. and other foreign countries as against those coming from other British sources. He was also disappointed the American oak was still allowed on the free list. It was a serious competitor with lowergrade timbers and. was very prone to borer attack.

Opinions on the tariff changes from other centres appear on page S of this issue.