AUSTRALIAN DUMPING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11686, 26 November 1923, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN DUMPING

A THORNY PROBLEM “IF THROATS MUST BE CUT”— SAYS MINISTERLET IT BE AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph—Special to “Times, 9 AUCKLAND, November 24. Speaking at a-reception tendered to him here the Minister for Customs, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, said that following complaints made some time ago that Australian manufacturers were dumping their products into New Zealand inquiries had 1 been made. It was found that there was dumping, that Australian jams were being sold in New Zealand at less cost than in Australia. BIG LOSSES. “It appeared tha the fruit pool lost £SOOOOO, and they poured their accumulated stocks into New Zealand, but when it came to a question of applying the dumping duty,” said the Minister. “It was advised that the same quality was ooming in at the same price from California, and was not being dumped. Other inquiries showed that the price of these goods in California was the same as for the export market. THE PROBLEM. “The problem put me by the Customs yas this: Is it any use saving New Zealand from Australian competition if it is only going into the hands of foreign competition? “And the result, on reflection, was to put it that way—that if w© were going to get our throats out we might as well let them be cut by our sister dominion ” (Laughter.)