HIGH TARIFFS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23200, 21 November 1938, Page 13

HIGH TARIFFS

HARMFUL EFFECTS IMPORTERS' OPPOSITION INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS "Once more wo emphasise that in our opinion high customs duties cannot but have adverse results on the economic life of New Zealand," states the annual report of the New Zealand Importers' Federation. "We agree there is room for economic secondary industry in New Zealand; the degree of what is economic is likely to be a subject of considerable difference of opinion, and the voice of the consumer is entitled to be heard in any decision which is made. Prohibition of imports, in our opinion, is not the sound and economic way of building up Zealand industries." The report mentions that the federation made representations to the Government regarding claims and statements made on behalf of the New Zealand clothing industry with reference to higher custoins duties. This was done with a view to avoiding hasty action which would have resulted in serious harm to the consumers of New Zealand, and by putting its views on record with the Government the federation served a useful purpose. The federation expresses its thanks to the Government, and particularly to the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, and the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Nash, with whom it is mostly in contact, for the courteous and sincere manner in which its representations have been met and received. "We are not in a position to forecast accurately what the future holds,'* the report adds. ,"We emphasise definitely the necessity for close organisation by all members through their respective associations. United effort is the only way to defend and extend our interests. We live in momontous times and changes appear inevitable, but it is our duty to ensure that these changes are made with as little harm as possible to all sections of the community, and in this respect we again stress the interests of the consuming public. "Importers perform an important part in the economic life of the community by giving the buying public access to the exporting markets of the world at prices which even after being loaded with freight, duty, exchange and other landing charges enable a definite demand to be satisfied; but there is a limit to charges which can be imposed, above which only deprivation and hardship can ensue."