AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

OUTLINE OF POLICY.

PROHIBITED IMPORTS.

MANY CUSSES EXEMPTED. ALTERATIONS IN DUTIES. By Telegraph—Press -Association—Copyright. (Received February 25; 9.35 p.m.) 'CAITBEREA, Feb- 25. 'J he Federal Government to-day-removed the tariff prohibition on the importation of 43 classes of goods, including biscuit®, confectionery, ale_, beer, cigarettes, cigars,soaps, candles, peanut butter, onions, canary seed, electrical heating and cooking appliances, dry batteries, glue,"cements, baths, sinks, certain types of agricultural implements, ploughs, fertilisers, reapers,, harvesters, rakes, chaff-cutters, preserved pork, preserved meats and dried milk. In outlining the tariff policy of the Government, the Minister of Mr. H. S. Gullett, said it stood first for an adequate measure of protection for the maintenance or establishment of industries for which Australia offered reason* able economic opportunities. "We look with disfavour on prohibitive duties calculated to create undesirable monopolies- and provoke retaliation by foreign countries which are valuable customers for our primary products," said the Minister.

"Drastic changes in the existing tariff schedule will not be made on Ministerial initiative. On the contrary the Government will accept the guidance, of, tha lariff Board and in broad principle will follow its recommendations."

Mi\ Gullett pointed out that in addition to removing the prohibition upon the articles mentioned, the duties would be increased on electrical. heating apparatus and other goods and decreased upon whisky, gin, tobacco, chinaware; earthenware, glassware, printers' type, tools of trade, writing and stencilling ink, potted meats, confectionery and various other items.

VICTORIAN FACTOBIES.

DECREASE IN EMPLOYEES.

WAGES FALL £7,237,846.

(Received February >25, 11.35.p.m.) MELBOURNE. Feb. 25.

Although the number of factories operating in Victoria last' year increased by four the average number of persons, employed in the factories of the State decreased by 24,993. Salaries and wages fell £7,237,846, compared with the previous year.

INTEREST DEFAULT:

MR. LANG'S LATEST. REPLIES TO MR. LYONS. - SYDNEY, Feb.- 25. Hie Premier of New South Wales, Miv J. T. Lang, has dispatched another telegram to the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, relating to the payment" of tha New South Wales interest overseas. The Premier alleged in his telegram that it was necessary to exercise caution, when dealing with the Prime Minister. Mr. Lang further alleged that th« latest reasons given by Mr. Lyonsfor refusing to consider the request' of New South Wales-for Treasury bills for £500,000 wer® not those stated-by-the Assistant-Trea-surer, ilr. S. M. Bruce, in enunciating the Commonwealth's policy-when dealing with the requests of West' Australia and Tasmania for accommodation. ' .. ■ -T- . ARBITRATION BILL. GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL VOTE. - SYDNEY; Feb. 25. The New. South Wales Government wat defeated in the Legislative Council on the first of its vital amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill. The motion for the reinsertion in the measure of the principle of a sole commissioner- was rejected by 48 votes to 38. The Federal Labour group voted against the Government. The bill now provides for a Bench o£ three Judges as recommended by a selee* committee. UPPER HOUSE CASE. PRIVY COUNCIL DATE FIXED FOR HEARING. LONDON, Feb. 24. It is reported that the;: Privy Council will hear the New South Wales Upper House case on April 5, at the first day's sittings after the Easter recess. - Mr. A. C. Willis, Agent-General, has instructed the State's legal advisers to oppose the Commonwealth's application to intervene, which may be heard on February 29.