TARIFF INQUIRY

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1933, Page 9

TARIFF INQUIRY

DRAMATIC TURN ACTION BY MANUFACTURERS TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL. ALLEGED BRITISH THREAT. ‘ FORCING NEW ZEALAND’S ; hand.;

(Per Press Association, —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Aft, ; unexpected development took place at yesterday’s sitting of the Tariff ?Commission, when the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation applied for permission to suspend all arrangements for, the taking of further evidence on its: behalf; This action was taken as a result of an interpretation placed upon reported statements made by a British Cabinet Minister, from which it was inferred ; that if the Dominion did-'not pursue a 7 policy of reducing Gustptpa. duties;, its products would b ( e subject' to .preferential duty, and to a quota. ,■ ; V'-' '• ' • ■ Tn the circumstances, the federation believed it was futile to continue with itri:'representations. ■ The request ‘ was granted. ... •. ■ . ■ ✓

Mr. A. E.. Mander, general secretary of the New-Zealand Manufacturers’ federation, said he desired to bring under the notice of the commission the following extract from a newspaper re- - port-of an address by Mr W.J. Pol- . 'sofa M.P., the president to the conference of .-..the.. New Zealand Farmer.^ A tTnion r :-r « , ; A d?dnite •statement had been 1 made t by a British Minister that if Netr Zealand did not reduce tar- ' : the ,Boniinibn Avould be subject, first, to a preferential duty, - and second,.to the restriction of -' , NeyA Zealand imports -into \(-freat ; . Britain." y,- v ■ -’; v 'v A : opr view,’.’ Mr Mander said, ; "this statement, if authentic, const!- • vtutesra difeet threat to the New Zealand Government if- it does not pursue line of polic.f, namely, the tedhetipn of-tariff duties. On the pro- \ s.iimption that this is correct,, it appears that a continuation of the present inquiry is rendered futile, ..and V there would appear to be little use in New Zealand manufacturers continuing, to come sfotwarcl and. give evicteftcai.' V ■ ••• . Grave View Taken. : 4‘We view the matter in a very I graVp. light, and application, is now be- ■ ing made to the commission to sus- / pen'd for a jfew days all arrangements for the taking of manufacturers’ further evidence, allowing us the few :'V days in which to reconsider our posi- ., tion.” - :■ . _: " , . Professor Murphy: “I don’t know that we can take any cognisance of a report in the newspapers of a hearsay remark made at some conference. What evidence is there that any British Minister said this? Who .said it, and when and where did he say it? We are not committed by the re-, marks of speakers at Farmers’ Union . conferences. I don’t think we can allow that to affeet our work.” Mr Mander;. “This statement was made by; a responsible public man in a presidential address.” . Professor Murphy; “What business is that of ours?’’ ' \ v ; Mr Mander; “It is not business of yours, Sir, but a great deal of business- ■ of ours.”

Professor Murphy: .“Surely it is a matter between you and .him. There no evidence that any responsible Minister ever said this.” ■Mr J. B. Cfow: “In any case we have our order of reference laid down by the Ottawa To deal with any remarks made about the country is no concern of ours;" t jjr. G. Craig: “The position is that certain-appointments have been made by your organisation, and if you don't wish to bring forward a witness during the next few days you can apply to have the matter postponed." Mr Mander: “Yes, Sir, that is the whole substance' of the application.’ ’ Dr, Craig: “We have no objection to that. ‘Will you indicate when you wish to resume?" Mr Mander: “Yes, we will do that if wo want to resume."

“DO NOT BE STAMPEDED.” MANUFACTURERS ’ APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT. 1 , (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The following telegram was sent today fp the Acting-Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, by Mr F. Campbell, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation: “On behalf of the manufacturers of New Zealand, I urge the Government hot to be stampeded by the dairy industry, which is evidently bringing great pressure to bear on the Government to commit itself to a reduction of the tariff without waiting for the findings of the Royal Commission which now, in accordance .with the Ottawa Agreement, is inquiring into the whole question of industries and tariffs. In view of the fact that our existing tariff is low and moderate, about one-third of that of Australia, I trust the Government will give full consideration to this fact before talcing action.”