CUSTOMS TARIFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18906, 5 July 1923, Page 8

CUSTOMS TARIFF.

SOME LOCAL VIEWS

TEA PRICES,

In view of the actual position the discussion in the House on Tuesday night when tlie Hon. W. Downie Stewart' introduced the resolution regarding the reduction of the duty on tea may bo considered to bo so much wasted effort. A number of members of the trade doubted whether the reduction of 3d per lb in the duty'of. tea would bo passed on to the consumer. There was no cause for fear so far at least as the local merchants were concerned, as all the tea contracts they had entered into- with their customers yor some time past had been on the basis of reduced duty. Those grocers, therefore, who have purchased tea within the past few weeks, with the above stipulation, will pay 3d per lb less. AH packet and bulk teas will be reduced by merchants as from yesterday by 3d per lb. The competition amongst grocers, moreover, is so keen that there is practically no likelihood that they will commandeer the 3d. One well-known brand of tea has actually been reduced 4d per lb. OTHER LINES. The reduction in the duty on 'oils will not be of great moment to the average consumer, but it will no doubt bo of great value to the large shipbuilding interests that are now converting their vessels from steam to oil. Hie alteration in spirits and acids does not vitally affect tbe publis as a whole. The duty on glass bottles will no doubt cause a considerable amount of comment, as plain glass bottles have been free from British countries for all time and were also free from all,parts of the world till 1921, since When foreign, bottles have paid 10 per cent. Now British bottles have to pay 20 per cent, and foreign bottles 30 per cent. It is regarded as a direct benefit to oneparticular firm, and it is open to question whether any private enterprise should receive such protection.