NEW AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 5

NEW AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

EMPIRE RECIPROCITY.

ANTI-DUMPING PROVISIONS. MANY DUTIES INCREASED. By Telegraph Press Association — (Received 5.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z, MELBOURNE, March 25. In the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Walter Massy Greene, Minister for Trade and Customs, in introducing the new Tariff Bill, said that the outstanding lesson of the war had left Australia no option hut to adopt such a policy as would ensure Australia against the commercial bleeding to which it had been subjected. Explaining the bill he said that it provided for substantially increased preference to Britain, and permits reciprocal tariff relationship with other parts of the Empire, which may be granted the United Kingdom preferential rate, either in whole or in part.

The bill prohibits reciprocal relationship with any of the Dominions where economic conditions are lower than those that prevail in Australia. The bill also provides- for the extension of an intermediate tariff to any country with which reciprocal trade relationships are arranged, and protects new industries by providing for additional duty to prevent dumping. The number of new duties totals 95, and in all these cases in the* last tariff' importations from the United Kingdom were free. Provision is also made for a deferred duty, ©which will become operative at some future date, with the object of giving an opportunity of establishing industries in Australia by the time Ihe deferred duty operates. If this is not | done the Minister is empowered to post- i pone the imposition of deferred duty. I

The new duties come into operation today. The new tariff applies to fresh importations and also goods in bond. Merchants during the past few months have been clearing stocks in anticipation of higher duties. The new principles include the provision of an > intermediate scale, distinct from the duties levied on British and ; other goods, which is to come into force in the event of Australia making reciprocal arrangements 'with other countries for granting concessions in duties in return for other concessions. There will be .also a deferred scale operating on a date coincident with the establishment of certain new industries in Australia; also,, provision for ' increased * imposts on goods dumped or carried by specially subsidised vessels at ballast rates. 0 Regarding preferential increases affecting Britain and those Dominions willing to reciprocate, the tariff provides for preference up to 25 per cent., with a number of items at 15 to 20 per cent. Increased duties arc proposed on soap, potted meats, pickles, confectionery, sauces and similar goods where local competition exists to keep prices down. The excise duty on industrial denatured spirits is remitted. Considerably increased protection is given on coal tar products and chemicals. There is an all round increase of 2i per cent, on machinery, and from 5 to 10 per cent on boots. The excise duty on tobacco, cigars and cigarettes is unaltered. Kerosene is admitted free. The beer duty is raised to threepence per gallon and the duty on spirits by 2s to 3s per gallon from the United Kingdom, and 4s from other countries. The sugar duty is unaltered. °

Press comments on the tariff suggest that it will undoubtedly increase the already high cost of living as, unfortunately, it contains no provision for the protection of the consumer.