TARIFF INQUIRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21583, 30 August 1933, Page 11

TARIFF INQUIRY

AUCKLAND EVIDENCE CONCLUSION IN SIGHT IMPORTED RADIO SETS CLAIM FOR LOWER DUTIES Tho sittings of the Tariff Commission In Auckland will end to-day or tomorrow. A large volume of evidence was heard yesterday, and an equally lengthy list awaits consideration today, leaving the possibility of a further sitting being necessary to-morrow. The members of tho commission will leave for the South on Friday. The' abolition of the duty of 10 per cont on British radio receiving sets and the reduction of the general duty from 35 per cent to 20 per cent were advocated by Mr. W. J. Truscott, director of Spodding, Limited. "Wo submit," ho said, "that as tho total landing charges on foreign radio receivers to-day amount to over 100 per cent, the duty should bo entirely removed on British and 20 per cent ad valorem levied on foreign, so as to give tho margin to Britain, which is suggested in the Ottawa agreement." Mr. Truscott expressed the belief that local assemblers had given an exaggerated idea of tho capital engaged in tho actual assembling of sets in New Zealand. Of six assembling companies recently registered as limited liability companies, three had a capital of £IOO each, one of £l5O, one of £3OO, and one of £SOO. To maintain or increase the existing rate of duty t6 enable the, assembling of sets locally through the importation, say, of valves from America, condensers from America. Australia or Germany, resistors from Australia or America, and cabinets or timber for cabinet construction frbm Australia, was obviously uneconomic. -

"Suitable for Revenue Duty" It was claimed that the changed tariff sought would give the following results:— Great Britain would be given a fair chance to compete in this market; (2)'' the New Zealand Government would continue to secure an important revenue from the importation of foreign sets; (3) the reduction in the'price of sets would result in a largo increase in the number of lis-teners-in, and consequently an increase in "tho revenue of the broadcasting stations, making possible improvements in their equipment and their programmes; (4) the buying public would be in a position to choose from a wide range of the latest types of sets produced by tho world's most highly skilled radio ■engineers. Professor B. E. Murphy said he could think of no article more suitable than a radio receiving set for a revenue duty. Mr. Truscott replied that, whereas radio might have been a luxury once, it was "quite a necessity" now, especially in the backblocks. Professor Murphy: But it is such an advantage that no reasonable objection could be taken to a small revenue duty. Further questioned, Mr. Truscott said he thought it should be practicable to place an excise duty of, say, 20 per cent, on tho local product. Lowered tariff on refrigerators was also sought by Mr. Truscott. He said the present landing charges on English refrigerators were approximately 65 per cent, and on. American refrigerators approximately 140 per cent. It was submitted it would be in the best interest of the community and in accord with the Ottawa agreement to allow the British article to enter dutyfree and to, assess the foreign product at 20 per oent. It was contended tho present high tariff could not result in the establishment of a local industry.

High Landing Charges The large amount added to the cost of curtain foodstuffs through high landing charges was emphasised in evidence given by Mr. A. H. Osvrin, manager of the merchandise department of Spedding, Limited. In making the point that, even without duties, a substantial protection was given to local industries, where such existed, Mr. Oswzn quoted the following details of landing charges:—Canned fruit from Australia, over 40 per cent; salmon from British Columbia, 103.11 per cent; pineapples from Fiji, 43 per cent; jams from .England, 90 per cent; walnuts from China, 294.99 per cent; canned peas„from Canada, 90 per cent; onions from Canada, 94 per cent; maize from South Africa, 66.66 per cent. Mr. Oswin sought the following reductions (the British, general and Australian duties are given in that order, with the rates requested in parentheses): —Salmon, lj|d lb., 3d., ljd (free, 20 per cent, free); walnuts, 2d, 3d, 2d (free in all cases); canned peas, 20 per cent, or Id a lb., whichever is , the greater, 45 per cent, or 2d a lb.. 20 per cent-(free, 20 per cent, free): maize, ground or crushed, free, Id a lb., free (free, 2s per cental, free): fruits preserved in juice or. syrup, 25 per cent, 50 per cent, 35 per cent (25 per cent, 50 per cent, 25 per cent): canned pineapples, 25 per cent, 50 per cent, 35 per cent (free, 20 per cent, free); onions, £1 a ton, £4, £1 (free, £'■'>, free); jams, jellies, marmalade and preserves, 2d a lb., sd, 2£d (free, 20 per cent, freie). The retention of the present duties on gate hinges was sought by Mr. W. A. Stephenson, managing-director of the Stanley Ironworks, Limited. The duties are 20 per cent British preferential and 45 per cent general. Mr. Stephenson said these duties had been in force for many years, and he claimed that the same measure of protection was still required. Considerable expense had been incurred in developing the business, which enabled hinges f o bo purchased readily without the necessity for heavy stocks being carried. Retention of the existing duties on imported earthenware, roofing tiles and ridging was asked for by Mr. C. J. Hillier,'representing the Winstono Roofiiig and Tile Works, Limited. The existing rates are British 10 per cent, general 30 per cent and Australian 20 per cent. Application for a reduction of the duty on downdrauglit preventing chimney pots and imported glazed tiles Was asked on behalf of various British tnanufacturers. It was stated the existing duty on the special chimney pots has British 20 per cent, general 45 per cent and Australian 20 per cent. Vhile that on the glazed tiles was British 20 "per cent, general 40 per cent find Australian 20 per cent. In each case it was asked that these goods be admitted tree under the British tariff. The commission will hear evidence to-day concerning the following imported goods:—Kraft paper twine, metal polishes, wax board containers, powder puffs, undercarriage springs, iron drain pipes, grapejuice. lysol, rubber goods. r piston rings, tennis gut, animal glandular products, fountain ,*>ens and aluminium ware.