THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9808, 1 May 1895, Page 5

THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.'; Thames, Tuesday. The members of the Tariff Commission, under the guidance of Mr. Jas. McGowan, M.H.R., to-day visited the Moanataiari mine and battery, the Waiotahi mine, the School of Mines, and other points of interest, and were much pleased with all they saw. This evening they met at the Borough Council Chambers, and took evidence relating to the tariff question. Mr. H. L. Koefoed, tomato sauce manufacturer, asked that no further duty should bo pub on glass bottles used in connection with his trade, as the kinds used by him were moulded and nob blown, and no suitable bottles could be made in the colony. Mr. R. N. Smith appeared in the interests of farmers, and stated that if more industries were established throughout the country the farmers would get much better value for their produce. He thought a protective duty should be imposed on all imported articles that could bo manufactured in the colony. Messrs. J. B. Steedman and F. McCormick attended, and said they grew and tinned fruit. They complained that whilst some few years ago they could compete with American tinned fruit, the Government now subsidised steamers for carrying mails, aud_ by means of those steamers the American people were enabled to (lend fruit to Now Zealand, and land ib at a great deal less price than it could be tinned and sent to Auckland from torThames. They asked for some protection to enable them to continue their avocati and to compete with the American imported fruit. Mr. J. Paterson, manufacturer of paints and powders, asked for an increased duty on all paints and powders thab could be manufactured in the colony. Mr. A. lies, photographer, agreed with the recommendations made by photographers in other parts of the colony as to certain materials used in their business being admitted free of duty. He pointed out, however, thab * copyright taken out *in the colony on3y extended to New Zealand, and cost 3s, whilst if taken out in England ib extended to Canada and elsewhere. He suggested that steps should be taken to pub the matter on the same tines as in England. This con. eluded the proceedings. The Commissioners leave here by coach at eight o'clock to-morrow morning,|ind will go through to Te Aroha, where the night will probably bs spent, and s proceed on to Hamilton jw»' Thursday morning. " ;