TARIFF REVISION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21982, 17 June 1933, Page 12

TARIFF REVISION

EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSION IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS (Per United Press Association.) • WELLINGTON, June 16. The match industry occupied the attention of the Tariff Commission this morning. Mr Walton M‘Lay, a director of Bryant and May and Bell and Co., asked for the retention of the present duties. “ The foreign duties are double the British preferential tariff,” Mr M'Lay said. “ The chief competition comes', from Sweden, Finland, Russia, Belgium, and Japan.” Thd New Zealand firms were',at present making only wax matches, but installing machinery for wooden Ones. They were receiving the co-operatiOn of the Forestry Department in the search for suitable timber, and some trees had already been planted. New Zealand paper and glue would also be used. It was their policy to use New Zealand material wherever possible. He submitted that the maintenance of the present tariff would come within the Ottawa agreement Mr F. W. Cleavin, director of the New Zealand Wax Vesta Company, also pressed for continuance of the ipyesent tariff. Mr Harold Ernest Taylor, New Zealand manager of the British General Electric Company, made representations on behalf of his own and several other firms. He asked for the removal ot the duty of 20 per cent, ad valorem on electric stoves from the United Kingdom. He contended (1) that owing to the high cost of packing and freight the local manufacturer was afforded ample protection without duty; f2) that a duty of 20 per cent, on stoves from the United Kingdom, with a corresponding duty on foreign stoves, meant an imposition .in monev value out of proportion to the amount expended in the local manufacture of stoves; (3) that as his principals had gone to considerable expense in manufacturing for New Zealand requirements, they were entitled to a fair share of the market; (4) that the remission of the duty on stoves would enable them tq be sold more cheaply, and would thus stimulate sales. „ ~ „ Replying to Mr A. E. Mander (secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation) Mr Taylor said the mam competition came mot from Canada, but from New Zealand manufacturers. ihe application concerned stoves pply. Mr Mander: The freight you consider the importer has to pay would be an adequate natural protection for the local manufacturers? What is the freight per StOVG ? Mr Taylor: It depends on the stove, but you can reckon within the vicinity of £3. , . , , Mr Mander; You admit the freight a manufacturer, say, in Christchurch, would have to pay on stoves sent to Auckland is quite an offset against the natural protection? ' . , . Mr Taylor: To a certain extent, yes. Mr Aubrey Schloss, a director of Messrs J L. Lennard, Ltd., asked that a duty of 25 per cent, ad valorem be imposed on glucose from foreign countries m order to protect the British product against dumping. All the materials used in the British product came grom within the Empire. Britain could supply all the glucose required in New Zealand. His firm, he said, had had an assurance from its principals in England that it a duty were imposed on the foreign product the English product would he kept at as low a price as possible. -