TARIFF REVISION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22022, 3 August 1933, Page 8

TARIFF REVISION

THE AUCKLAND SITTINGS FURTHER EVIDENCE HEARD (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 2. Two large bottles of lavender water decorated a table at the Tariff Commission to-day, when representatives of Sharland and Co,, Ltd., gave evidence. They asked for maintenance of the present duty of 20 per cent, ad valorem on medicinal preparations and 31r per cent, duty on toilet goods. If the duty on toilet goods was maintained the output could be increased and a wider range introduced. They sought an increase in the duty on perfume spirits, the admission duty free of liquid extracts for manufacturing tinctures, and the abolition of 3 per cent, primage on barks, roots, etc., used for tinctures. One witness said that unless redress was obtained it would be necessary to use a different basis in one of the lavender preparations.

Asked by Mr S. A. Pascoe what difference in quality would be involved, the witness said: “The best way is to test it yourself.” Mr Pascoe: I’m afraid L am not an expert. Free admission of castings for piston rings was asked for by a representative of B. Johnson and Sons, Ltd., who said that if local manufacturers were to compete with imported rings the use of eastings was essential. The duty on imported rings should be increased rather than reduced.

A representative of F. S. Tyler, Ltd., asked for the abolition or a reduction of the duty on glassware which, he said, was ♦ not manufactured locally, except bottles and jam jars. If a duty were required for revenue purposes he suggested a reduction from 20 to 10 per cent.

The use by a witness of the word “ invade ” in relation to the possible future appearance on the New Zealand market of foreign explosives was quickly taken up by Professor Murphy, who drew attention to the protection the consumer received from competition. C. E. Campbell, for Nobel (Australasia) Proprietary, Ltd., had asked that high explosives and blasting powder manufactured in the United Kingdom and Australia should continue to be admitted duty free, and that foreign explosives be taxed 15 per cent. He said that if given that preference his firm would undertake not to increase the selling price unless the costs, which were beyond- their control, were increased.

Asked by Dr Craig why he Wanted the foreign duty raised, the witness said they had heard rumours occasionally that the markets • might be invaded. Professor Murphy: Why do you say invaded? Have other people no right to trade beside your own trust? We all believe in international trade. Surely others have the right to come in for the protection of the consumer. I think you are in a splendid position, and that it is going a long way to ask'for'a duty because at some future date you may have competition. I think you are in a splendid position, and don’t need any more.

Witness: It has been a very costly organisation. Professor Murphy; I know. You are a very big combine. If you have that market now and have another duty what will happen to prices? Witness: We are undertaking not to raise them.

Professor Murphy: You cannot give such an undertaking in these times of fluctuating currencies. Suppose ' the currency were inflated. Witness: We undertake not to increase prices unless the cost of production is increased. ' Professor Murphy:- That is a different matter.

“ BACK-DATE MAGAZINES ”

QUESTION OF DUMPING DUTY. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, August 2, Samples of “back date magazines” were examined with interest by members of the Tariff Commission when the case was put for not imposing a dumping duty on this type of light reading as had been proposed by certain interests before the war. “ We did a big trade in what is known as “ sixpenny cheaps,” that is, paperback novels,” said Mr Stanley Newcomb, director of Messrs Stanley Newcomb and Co., Ltd., wholesale stationers. “It was owing to this that we looked round for other reading matter that could be sold at 6d retail and so be within the means of the artisan class and others. We are not asking for a reduction nor for an increase in duty a» we are satisfied with the present tariff,’ continued Mr Newcomb. “ Our reason for bringing this matter under notice i« that during the past three years the firm controlling the current issues, finding the sales falling off, not on account of our remainders, but owing to the trade depression and the luxury .prices of their current issues, have endeavoured on two occasions to have a dumping duty imposed. On both occasions on which the proposal was made in Parliament it was turned down by big majorities. - Replying to a question Mr Newcomb said that “back-date magazines” were placed on sale about four after the current issues. He distributed samples among members of the commission for perusal. •< They seem to have a very high moral tone right through so far as I can see, said Professor Murphy, a member of the commission. Mr Newcomb: Yes, they are quite useful, especially those dealing with physical culture. Professor Murphy: I am sure they would do me a lot of good, but I have not time to read them. Mr Newcomb: They would not do you any harm. Witness submitted further evidence confidentially. ' , ■ The case for a reduction of the duty on playing cards was stated by Mr Allan Brooker, who appeared on behalf of a aroup of manufacturing stationers. He said the New Zealand industry was so small that even a reduction of duty from Cd to 2d or 3d would not constitute an economic barrier to the local manufacturer but would place the British maker in the position of a domestic competitor. Mr Brooker said the average price f.o.b. Britain, of an average pack of linen finished cards was 4d. However, with a duty of Gd and freight, exchange and other charges, the landed cost in New Zealand was about one shilling. That meant that on the cheaper cards nearly 150 per cent, was added to the original cost, although in the case of the better class of cards the increase was only about 25 per cent. ■ , Professor Murphy: Playing cards are made in New Zealand ?—Yes, in WanganUp’rofessor Murphy: Is pasteboard made in New Zealand?—No, the actual board is imported, and it is printed, glazed and cut here.