TARIFF REVISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 13

TARIFF REVISION

IMPORTED BEER DUTIES REQUEST FOR LOWERING RETAINING RATE ON DOORS [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Two deputations arising out of the recent tariff announcements waited on the Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, to-day. A request for the lowering of duties on imported beer was made by Mr. W. J. Plowden Wardlaw, representing J. and P. Tennent, brewers, of Glasgow. Mr. Wardlaw claimed that his case w.as stronger now than when the Tariff Commission was sitting, as it now appeared that the exchange rate would be permanent at the present rate for the next year or two. Trade conditions had not improved last year. Overseas firms had to have agents, whereas local breweries went direct to customers. A commission of 4s 9d a dozen to agents was a protection for all times to the local industry. He asked to be allowed to produce up to 5 per cent of the local production.

The second deputation was from the New Zealand Sawmillers' Federation. The president, Mr. J. A. Bush, said the federation desired to thank the Government for its decision not to interfere with the existing duties in the timber schedule generally, but the federation asked that the duty on doors in the late tariff should be retained. Under the old schedule, the British preferential duty had been 30 per cent ad valorem, or 4s a door, whichever rate returned the higher duty, and it had now been lowered to 25 per cent. It was feared that the decreased duty would pave the way for Canadian importations. The deputation promised the Minister that he would be furnished with the current domestic prices of Canadian doors. Mr. Coates said he would consider the representations. ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIONS The effect upon the New Zealand manufacturers of electrical water heaters of the abolition of the British preference duty on electrical heating appliances will bo the subject of representations to be made to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Customs. Mr. D. Henry, of Auckland, who left for Wellington last evening to interview the Minister, said he had been deputed by the Auckland manufacturers of electrical water heaters to present their case. Heaters of special types had been evolved to suit local needs, but under the new proposal the rewards of local enterprise would be lost. He intended also to make representations concerning certain lines of builders' hardware.

GAS INDUSTRY'S CLAIMS DEPUTATION TO-MORROW Representations concerning the seriousness of the effects of the tariff changes on the gas-producing industry are to be made by a deputation from the combined' gas companies of New Zealand, which will wait on the Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, at Wellington to-morrow. The deputation will comprise representatives of the companies as well as of the clerical and outside staffs. In support of the direct appeal which will be made to the Minister, the executive of the Auckland Gas Employees' Union has forwarded to the Minister and others a circular letter protesting against the importation of electric cookers and oil fuel free of duty, against the 25 per cent duty on gas cookers. A petition containing over 400 names is also being forwarded to Wellington.