AMERICAN TARIFF DEFENDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18752, 4 January 1923, Page 8

AMERICAN TARIFF DEFENDED

Reference was made to a New Zealand Times representative of Mr D. F. Wilbur, the American Consul-General, to comment on tho Fordney tariff made the previous day bv Mr Charles M‘Chue, an English resident in the United States, who arrived by the Maunganui. “It’s a straight-out business proposition,” declared Mr Wilbur. “It is an economic measure. The American people are satisfied, foil do not hear any squealing from America.” He went on to say that the tariff question was a big political issue in the United States, and had been so for many years. Mr Wilbur commented upon the fact that until tho Wilson Democratic administration came into power there had been no income tax in tho country. “I don’t know what you think about it,” he added, “but the average American hates to see the tax collector. He would rather pay the expenses of Government any day through his tariff He objects to paying in a lump sum.” “The income tax is still in existence, and likely to be, I suppose. War expenses were very heavy in America, as in other countries, and I do not see any sign of this tax being lifted.” The Consul-General was inclined to the view, however, that the Republicans would remove the tax when it was possible to do so. “Now, I think this goes to prove the trutli of my assertion,” lie continued, referring to a recent New York cable in which it was stated that the Emerson Company had purchased 190,030 cases of New Zealand butter for American consumption at a price approximating half a million sterling. It was stated that 123,000 cases were being loaded by the steamer Tekoa at Auckland, and 40,000 cases were to be shipped in January, and 30,000 in February. “I did not know anything about this,

but it is probably quite correct. You see, the position is this: America has got to miy in the markets of the world. If New Zealand could not produce enough butter to supply the requirements of hn- own people, she would have to buy from Australia or somewhere. It is the same with America. We have got to buy, as wo cannot produce enough for our own requirements. It is exactly the same with wool. Americans have to compete in the markets of the world. Tiike Now Zoaland, for instance, where we have bought more this year than before. Th- American buyers had to compete with English. French, and other buyers, and they paid the best prices. Wo havo got to havo a certain quantity of raw products, and we will pay for them, and the duty as well. You see the point? The tnriff is revenue producing, the same as all other tariffs. Wo have cot to buy in the world's markets, both for wool and butter." Mr Wilbur added that last year a eonsiderii*ii quantity of butter found its way into the United States from New Zealand, commenting in particular upon shipments from Auckland by way of Canada to New York He had been informed at one period that that tonnage had been booked three months ahead.