PIANOS AND BAGPIPES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21590, 7 September 1933, Page 10

PIANOS AND BAGPIPES

REMOVAL OF DUTY URGED OUNEOIN EVIDENCE GIVEN HIGH IMPORTING COSTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Wednesday The Dunedin sitting of the Tariff Commission commenced to-day. Mr. Thomas Ritchie, general manager of Charles Begg and Company, asked for tho removal of the customs duty on pianos manufactured in Britain, stating that none was manufactured in New Zealand. Owing to tho high cost of importing pianos, ho said, it was now practically impossible to sell new instruments. If the duty were removed, firms selling pianos would undertako an advertising campaign for pushing sales. Without the duty, and with a normal exchange rate, pianos which now cost £75 could bo sold at £52, or less. At present importation was practically at a standstill. In answer to a question, Mr. Ritchie said that while radio entertainment was a factor there was already a tendency in Britain to look to radio for news and education rather than for entertainment. Mr. Ritchie then submitted a petition from an Edinburgh firm asking for the cancellation of the duty on bagpipes. He said bagpipes played a definite part in the community life. Mr. J. B. Gow, a member of the commission: You don't mention that the skirl of the pipes has sometimes saved the Empire. Professor Murphy: They frighten the enemy away. Is that the idea? A joint case for two hat manufacturing companies in Dunedin and two in Wellington was presented. It was claimed that the protection afforded to the industry was now somewhat below the level of the Ottawa formula, and it was requested that the industry should be regarded as one especially suitable for the application of the principle recommended by the committee on Im--1 perial industrial co-operation. Under this, semi-manufactured goods should be imported from the United Kingdom, while the New Zealand industry should be safeguarded as regards finished goods in the Dominion market. The industry made use mainly of imported materials, the greater part of which was imported from tho United Kingdom in a partially processed state. If the present plants in the Dominion were working to full capacity the number of hands at present employed would bo doubled.