"GOOD TARIFF FOR BRITISH MERCHANT"

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3614, 15 September 1927, Page 8

"GOOD TARIFF FOR BRITISH MERCHANT"

Various Opinions From Wellington on Changes FAMILY MAN MAY NOT BENEFIT {Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Sept. 1 14. Mr. Charles M. Bowden president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, speaking with regard to the tariff, expressed warm appreciation of the underlying principle enumerated, viz., to encourage still further trade In goods produced in the British Empire. It was earnestly to be hoped, he said, that the effect of tho proposals would bd to swing trade to Britain. It could not be overstressed that our prosperity was greatly dependent on the state of trade in Britain. Tho further assistance grunted to local industries was also a move in the right direction. It had often been stated that, the prosperity of the Dominion was dependent on tho primary industries, but that was only a half truth, and it was pleasing to see tho growing recognition that tho socalled primary industries and the secondary industries were interdependent. ‘ ‘ While the remissions made will he welcome,” he said, ‘‘l nevertheless cannot see any justification for the statement when the income tax proposals were being considered that the increase in the income taxation to the family man would he largely offset by remissions in the customs taxation. The remission in the main are on articles which do not affect him directly.” Mr. W. E. Hill, manager of a motor company, expressed himself as well satisfied with the five per cent, advantage granted over imported assembled motors. That the interests of New Zealand manufacturers had not been sufficiently considered and that the question of assisting them had merely been nibbled at is the opinion of Mr. Campbell, presi-; dent of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association. It was a good tariff for the British manufacturer, he declared, wherever possible a substantial increase had been given for his assistance. Had the same preference been given to the New Zealand manufacturer a step forward in secondary industries would have been certain. - ” A SOUND REVISION.” OPINION OF BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER. WELLINGTON' Sept. 14. . The British Trade Commissioner, Mr. Beale said that he regarded the revision of the tariff as a sound revision. ’ It was certainly in the best interests of the producers and the consumers of the Dominion for it reduced tho duties on things used by all classes in .every home, it facilitated the introduction of raw materials and machinery to bp used in local industries, it enlarged tho policy of British Empire preference, and contained important proposal's for Increasing the markets for New Zealand products overseas. If, as he hoped and believed, the changes meant greater trade in British goods with New Zealand, tho result of tho enlarged capacity of employment of the work people at Horae would surely be automatically reflected in the ability of the people of the United Kingdom to purchase more New Zealand produce. Ho thought that the tariff was a most able effort of the Government to adjust conditions governing the economic position of New Zealand in' that increased and regular employment was assisted, factors entering into the cost of production were lowered in price, many items in every day use were reduced, and the practical partnership of the Empire was expressed in the clearest terms. The prospects, too, of wider markets for New Zealand produce wero greatly enhanced by tho proposals outlined in the appendix. NO CHANGES IN TARIFF ON SPIRJTS SURPRISES CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 14. Although no official statement has yet been made by the Canterbury Manufacturers ’ Association regarding the revision of the tariff, an indication was given to-day that members are very dissatisfied. Many of (hem feel that little or no attention has been paid by the Commission to the evidence that was tendered by manufacturers. A special meeting of the tariff committee of the association will be held to consider the matter this afternoon. It came as an agreeable surprise to a good many people to find that the tariff on spirits remained as formerly.

MAIZE DUTY REDUCTION DISSATISFIES GISBORNE. GISBORNE, Sept. 14. Merchants view the reduction of duty on maize with considerable alarm. Maize growing in Poverty Bay has greatly increased during recent years

and has become a substantial branch of farming. The Merchants’ Association is calling a meeting to protest against the proposed reduction. " PUBLIC WILL PAY FOE DUTY ON FILMS," SAYS EXHIBITORS’ OFFICIAL. . WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. The proposed 200 per cent, increase in the duty on imported kinema film is not looked upon with favour by those who provide the entertainments. A representative of the Now Zealand Motion Pictures’ Exhibitors Association says: " If the Government intends to stimulate the production of British films they have gone the wrong way about it. In the case of the raw film the only reliable source is America, and Germany in the case of the finished product. The increased duty will not assist Britain. The contracts which exhibitors have with American distributing companies contain a clause which automatically passes on to the exhibitor any increase in the duty." He says in effect that the public must pay the duty as ‘ ‘ British films are not there to be bought." Mr. Messenger, of the Government Publicity Department, says that it regularly imports from 10,000 to 15,000 foot a week. The now duty would not affect this film as it was made iu Britain. It was essential to use the very best available, the material being too expensive to waste. German material had been tried, but it was found to be not satisfactory. The American makers of film wore putting up works all over the world. What was imported by the Department was from works already established in England.