TARIFF COMMISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21978, 13 June 1933, Page 10

TARIFF COMMISSION

CASE FOR MANUFACTURERS EVIDENCE BY MR MANDER (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 12. The examination of Mr A. E. Mander, secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, by Mr Colbeck, representing the Farmers’ Union, occupied most of the time of the Tariff Commission to-day. Mr Mander denied that the manufacturers were selling at an excess profit. He suggested that preference should be confined to goods which were 100 per centum Empire produced. Mr Colbeck asked whether, if protection were removed, New Zealand might support a population of 1,000,000. “ Were you in earnest when you made that statement? ” ' , . Mr Mander: I was on oath. You insult me when you say that I was not in earnest. I was on oath. Mr Colbeck: I suggest that protection increases the cost of production. Mr Mander: I don’t admit that. Answering a further question, Mr Mander said that, quality for quality, New Zealand goods were cheaper than British. He agreed that if the cost of living fell 25 per cent, wages could be reduced by that amount without loss to the worker hut he denied that in such case manufactured goods could he reduced by. a like amount as other costs had to be considered. In the afternoon the commission heard representations by Mr W. M. Paterson, director of Messrs Adams, Bruce,, Ltd. Mr Paterson asked for a reduction in the duty on unsweetened chocolate which, he claimed, was in reality raw material. He contended that the rate should be about half of that imposed on the finished product. At presept unsweetened chocolate carried the sdme rate of duty as ordinary confectionary. Mr Andrew Fletcher, director of the Fletcher Construction Company, asked for the imposition of a duty on electrically welded fabric on the ground that it interfered with New Zealand labour. The commission adjourned until tomorrow.