THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 21

THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

By Telegraph. — Press Association Christchurch, February 16

The Tariff Commission sat to-day. Mr W. J. Drapper, paper bag manufacturer, asked that a duty be put upon imported paper bags, and that the duties on imported paper of various qualities should be equalised. A representative of J. Blackburn and Co. gave ieasons why no duty should be placed upon sheep-dips, as it was xxnderstood that evidence was to be offered advocating, the imposition of duty upon imported sheep dips. This afternoon F. Trent gave evidence regarding the coffee and spice trade. Dr Hacon asked for a reduction of the duties on drugs which could not be manufactured in the Colony. A deputation from the Canterbury Fruit Growers' Association asked for an increase of the duties on imported fruit. E. C. Mouldoy gave evidence regai-ding the New Zealand wine trade, and asked that the duties on imported wine be kept up. J. Faulkner asked for increased duties on wire sieves and netting. In the evening a deputation from the Amalgamated Society of Engineers gave evidence regarding articles in use in the trade, and asked for increased duties on those that could be manufactured in the Colony. A deputation of tanners and curriers also asked that increased duties be placed on articles that could be manufactured in the Colony. Before the Tariff Commission, Mr Blackwell, chairman of directors of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, gave evidence as to the duty upon material connected with the industry. While he was quite satisfied with the duty on superior goods, he thought that upon shoddy and inferior material was not sufficient.

Mr Jakins, produce merchant, advocated that the duty on grain should be by the ton and not ad valorem, and that the duty on certain descriptions of grain should be done away with. Representatives of a large manufacturing house gave evidence as to anomalies in the tariff respecting soft goods. Tho Commissioners have been invited to visit the Kaiapoi Woollen Company's mills. Christchurch, February 18. Before the Tariff Commission this morning, Messrs Harman and Finnemore, representing Messrs Wilson, Fallaman and ■ Co., saccharine manufacturers, London, gave evidence in reference to saccharine and asked for a reduction in duty, pointing out the high rate charged here as compared with those in the other colonies. Mr G. G. Stead also ottered a number of suggestions as to the manner in which the tariff might be improved. In the afternoon a joint deputation of boot manufacturers and employees gave lengthy evidence. They submitted a detailed list of a fixed duty and ad valorem combined, which they considered, if adopted, would tend to prevent the importation of shoddy articles, and at the same time bring about an improvement in the state of the boot trade of the Colony. Mr Waller, cycle manufacturer, asked that an increased duty should be imposed on imported finished cycles. Mr G. C. Brice asked that the present duty on dextrine, gum arabic, glucose, liquid gum, and gummed papers should be increased, as they all could be made in the Colony.