TARIFF REVISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21293, 21 September 1932, Page 9

TARIFF REVISION

CLAIMS OF IMPORTERS

OPPORTUNITY TO STATE CASE

A suggestion that importing interests in New Zealand should be given an opportunity to state their case in the matter of the proposed (revision of the customs tariff to give effect to agreements reached at the Ottawa Conference is made by the Canad-ian-British Traders' Association of New Zealand in a resolution forwarded to the acting-Minister of Customs, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. It is stated the United Kingdom manufacturers will be allowed a similar privilege. The association also forwarded a resolution again asking whether the conversion rate for duty purposes was discussed at the Ottawa Conference and whether any relief in the matter can be expected in the near future. The need for some relief, the resolution states, is emphasised by the severe depreciation of sterling, which greatly reduces the preference under the British preferential tariff on goods from Empire countries on the gold standard, in competition with similar goods from foreign countries which are off the golri standard. When the depreciated sterling is taken into consideration on the goods themselves, the foreign competitor is in a more favourable position'than the Empire producer of a similar article. REMOVAL OF THE SURTAX PROMPT OPERATION REQUESTED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Tuesday Criticising the statement made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, and by Mr. Coates, that it was proposed to remove the surtax on United Kingdom goods, Mr. A. H. Allen, at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, said he thought it was unfortunate that Mr. Forbes and Mr Coates had made any statements at all about reviewing the tariff. "People have been holding expensive stocks," he said, "and to-day the retailer is refraining from doing anything, in anticipation of getting cheaper goods. I think statements like that, before proposals are submitted to the House of Representatives for approval, are very damaging to business." , , - It was decided to request the actingMinister of Customs to bring the abolition of surtax into effect as from the date when the announcement was made, and to make it apply to all vessels within the three-mile limit at the time.