EFFECT OF NEW TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 12

EFFECT OF NEW TARIFF.

THE PRICE OF LEMONS. STATEMENTS CONTRADICTED. VIEWPOINT Of MERCHANTS. The statement made during a debate in Parliament that the price of Auckland lemons had been immediately raised after the proposed tariff was known, has aroused the indignation of Auckland fruit merchants. In a telegram to the Hon. O. J Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, and members of Parliament, Mr. Harvey Turner, managing director of Turners and Growers, Limited, said that such a statement was incorrect. The prices for Citrus Association lemons for immediate delivery, forward delivery, and special arrangements to retailers had not changed since the tariff was announced -The highest price for forward delivery was only half the present landed cost of American lemons without any duty. If New Zealand depended upon imported lemons for supply, such high prices as at present would make lemons prohibitive to most people. On the other hand, dumping such a3 occurred 18 months ago would kill local industry un less a substantial duty were fixed. Production was increasing rapidly and undoubtedly New Zealand public interest was protectee, by helping local tndustry, Sole dependence on foreign supplies would create a great opportunity for ex ploitation, whereas local grown lemons must of necessity be sold in the Dominion i'he telegram said that inquiries made in Auckland yesterday disclosed nc knowledge of the purchase of any imported lemons, as ail supplies were purchased locally They could make n ore money from imported lemons than from local supplies, but felt that New Zealand growers were not getting a fair run from interested southern importers. Mr G. A. Green, secretary of the Auckland Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council, said last evening that information had been received from two reliable sources that Californian export merchants had reduced prices by one penny a pound to meet the now tariff. The effect of this reduction, it was anticipated, would be that there would be no change in the price of Californian lemons in New Zealand ' DUTY ON CONFECTIONERY. CRITICISM BY IMPORTERS. The proposed increase of 25 per cent, in the customs duty on confectionery was criticised at a meeting of confectionery importers in lhe Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Mr C H. Furness presided. It was stated that coniecti&nery factories in New Zealand had flourished under the old tariffs and that several fortunes had oeen made in the industry. A resolution was carried pointing out that further protection was not warranted as existing duties and freights imposed a protection amounting to 50 to 60 per cent. The resolution further indicated that local manufacturing had the benefit of the cheapest and best sugar in the world, while machinery used in production was admitted free of duty. The following motion was also carried:—" That this meeting challenges the accuracy of the statement of the Minister of Customs that several manufacturing companies have gone into liquidation owing to the low protection, and we affirm that the liquidations were due to condition? disassociated entirely from the tariff. CLEARANCE OF IMPORTS. A CHRISTCHURCH PROTEST. [BY TELEGRAPH --PRESS ASSOCIATION | CHRISTCHURCH. Friday. At a meeting of *he Canterbury Cham ber of Commerce, together with representatives of wine and spirit, soft goods and dry goods merchants, it was unanimously agreed as follows: "That the chamber views with the gravest alarm the provisions of clause 14 of the Customs Amendment Act, giving such unlimited powers to collectors of customs, and which may inflict such unworkable and unknown hazards, conditions and liability upon importers and traders. We urgently request that legislation be delayed to allow of time for the views of merchants, importers and those interested to be placed before the Government." IMPLEMENTS FOR FARMS. OBJECTION TO HIGHER DUTY. fBY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ASHBURTON. Friday. At a meeting of the Ashburton County Council to-day, the following resolution was ca ried:—That, while the executive is anxious to encourage New Zealand farm implement makers as far as it can, it considers the 'ime is not opportune to give increased tariff protection to them, as such protection must mean increased costs to the primary producers, who are already carrying more than they can bear. The council also endorsed the Dunedin business men's objection to the proposed Transport Ministry, and their resolution regarding the Civil Service personnel.