TRADING PROTESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21857, 20 July 1934, Page 13

TRADING PROTESTS

GAS INDUSTRY OBJECTS DUTY ON COOKERS RETAINED PIANO IMPORTERS' CASE [HY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] AV E L LIN GTO N, Thur sd a y Vigorous objection to the removal of the 20 per cent duty 011 electric cooking and heating appliances, while a duty of 25 i)cr cent was retained on gas stoves, was voiced by a large deputation representing gas companies and their employees, which waited on the Minister of Customs, Mr. Coatcs, today. Exception was also taken to the imposition of a duty of 10 per cent on gas meters, and to the fact that fuel oil was allowed to enter free. Mr. James Lowe, manager of the Auckland Gas Company, said the gas industry employed a largo amount of labour, paid income tax and contributed heavily to the revenue of the Dominion. The new tariff would affect the industry very seriously, and would result in unemployment. An Unfair Position It was unfair to continue taxing gas cookers while the duty was removed from electric cookers. There was no objection to a reasonable amount of protection being afforded, and he thought that a duty of 15 or 20 per cent on both gas and electric cookers would be a good thing, and would fulfil the pledge given at the Ottawa Conference. Mr. E. Wadham, secretary of the Auckland Gas Employees' Union, handed the Minister two petitions signed by workers in Auckland and Cliristchurch. He said the Wellington gas workers also supported the representations. Workers throughout New Zealand were very much disturbed by the tariff proposals. The industry directly employed 1800 persons, and gav6 employment indirectly to many times that number. The retention of the duty on imported fruit and rose trees was urged by a deputation from the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association. Mr. G. A. Green (Auckland) said if fruit and rose trees wore to be admitted duty free, it would result in the retardation of horticulture in New Zealand, and would be a serious blow to horticultural education. " A Desperate Situation" Another deputation was received from the piano traders of New Zealand, who sought the total abolition of the duty and sales tax on pianos. Mr. R. H. Nimmo said under the existing conditions it was impossible to import pianos for sale in New Zealand, and the trade in the Dominion was faced with a desperate situation. Piano importers appreciated the recent 10 per cent reduction in the tariff, but it was insufficient. Radio sets represented one of the chief factors responsible for the present state of the piano trade, yet they were to be admitted free from Britain.

The New Zealand Garage Proprietors' Association sought the Minister's reconsideration of the tariff as it affected motor-cars, tyres and parts. " For years the trade has been appealing for a reduction of this heavy taxation and the fact that the amended duties still further increase this load is regarded as a catastrophe by those acquainted with the position," stated the association. A lower scale of duties was submitted as being in the best interests of New Zealand without doing any injustice to the English manufacturer or to any section of the community. Materials for Neckties Necktie manufacturers asked that the duty on foreign tie silks should bo reduced as this material was practically non-obtainable in Great Britain. Manufacturers of electric water heaters stated that the removal of the duty would result in the extinction of the' industry, which had made a specialty of Dominion requirements by the manufacture of a water heating svstem peculiarly suitable to this country. No fewer than 30,000 heaters had been made in New Zealand factories and the design was being copied abroad, particularly in Australia. Mr. \Y. J. Holds worth, chairman of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, said the increase in the installation of electric water heaters had given a tremendous impetus to the consumption of power sold by his board.

The Minister promised in each case to consider the representations.

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD PROPOSAL FOR ABOLITION LABOUR MEMBER'S BILL [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Thursday A bill to abolish the Unemployment Board is to be sponsored by Mr. 1). G. Sullivan (Labour —Avon) who gave notice of its introduction in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Sullivan explained later that the measure would provide for the abolition of the (Jncmployment Board and the provision of adequate sustenance for unemployed on the scale provided by the original act.