TARIFF INQUIRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 11

TARIFF INQUIRY

AUCKLAND EVIDENCE m, . ■ V* 4 WIDE; RANGE OF SUBJECTS RETAINING EXISTING DUTIES SITTING ENDS NEXT WEEK f The Tariff Commission will definitely conclude its Auckland Bitting next week. Yesterday's evidence covered a wide range of subjects, varying from face powders to slasher handles, and from souvenir spoons to gherkins. In most cases the retention of the present duties was sought to enable local industries to compete with imported goods. The maintenance of the existing duties of 20 per cent British and 45 per cent general on upholsterers' springs was sought by Mr. S. Takle, managingdirector of Takle Brothers, Limited. Mr. Takle said if the duties were reduced on the standard lines it would not bo possible to produce odd lines locally at the present prices. The retention of present duties was = also urged by Mr. J. M. Scansie, on behalf of Coquette Perfumery (New Zealand), Limited, in respect of face creams, face powders, face compacts, rouge, lipstick, face lotions and bath crystals, which are dutiable at 35 per cent British and 55 per cent general. The witness said the raw materials cost more in New Zealand than in Britain, and local labour costs were higher because of the limited markets. Eating of Olives Acetic acid, olives and gherkins were the subject of representations by Mr. J. P. Stevenson, of Whittome, Steven- . son and Company, Limited. He asked that British acetic acid should be made duty i'ree. Acetic acid was not manufactured in New Zealand, being wholly imported from Britain. The quantities imported were not sufficient to make much difference in customs revenue. Acetic acid cost 6d per 18. at Home and the duty worked out at about sd, or almost 100 per cent. The duty on olives is 20 per cent, bulk or bottled. Mr. Stevenson asked that the former be duty free and that the latter should bo unchanged. He said olives were not produced in New Zealand, but when imported in bulk tbey gave repacking work for New Zealanders. "

Professor Murphy: That, I take it, would, exclude the packed goods and give you the market. It should do. Mr. Stevenson: We would pass on the reduction in duty to the public. That would probably increase the habit of eating olives and the output would go U P- ' ...

Regarding the duties on gherkins (20 per cent British and 45 per cent general), the witness asked that no duty should be charged if gherkins were imported in casks of 10 gallons or over, but that the existing rates should apply if the gherkins were imported in smaller containers. All gherkins ctftne from Holland, which virtually supplied the world.

Handles For Tools A protest against a suggestion that duties should be imposed on imported wooden handles for tools was made by Mr. J. D. Sands (P. R. Colebrook, Limited), "Mr. A. W. Sinton (E. W. Sinton, Limited) and Mr. J. Oates. Inasking for the retention of tne dutyfree provision for all imported the three witnesses stated that to import the handles "in the rough" would add to the cost without giving much additional work in New Zealand. The duties asked for were proof that the handles could not be made economically here, as the landing charges alone on . such bulky articles should be sufficient protection. It was stated that the landed cost added 76 per cent to the price. , , "You cannot sell a bushman or a carpenter a local or Australian handle, said Mr. Sinton. "They want th* hickory handles, and there are no hickorv trees growing in a natural state outside of North America." A comprehensive display of badges, medals, medallions and souvenir spoons was exhibited by Mr. J. A. Young, representing Robert Young and C° m ~ panv, Limited, manufacturing jewellers, who asked for the retention of the duty of 25 per cent on the corresponding articles imported from Britain. It was stated that foreign competition was not. extensive. Mr. Young said the maintenance of the tariff would enable men to be kept in employment. Boot Trade Protection Evidence on behalf of the Boot and Shoa Workers' Union was given by Mr. C. J. Ward, who asked that at least the present scale of duties should be maintained. He said that importations in 1919-21 represented 46.3 of the total requirements, and in 1928 the figure was 68.6 per cent. If that growth could take place there could not be much wrong with the tariff. Speaking as a manager of workmen, Mr. Ward said, the labour conditions in the United Kingdom would not satisfy him. Ihe hours were longer and the wages were lower. He felt the New Zealand workmen were entitled to protection on the score of wages alone. Under equal conditions the New Zealand workman was as good as any other. If there is no protection in New Zealand, Mr Ward, "I am convinced the New Zealand shoe trado will be wiped out. At to-day's sitting a statement w.ll bo made on behalf of the citrus frurt industry, and evidence will be given regarding glass bottles and jars, glassSre tomatoes, cucumbers, beaus and peas, and clothes pegs.