TARIFF COMMISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 12

TARIFF COMMISSION

SITTINGS IN CHRISTCHURCH (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 22. The Tariff Commission sat to-day. A reduction from the present duty of ZU per cent, to 10 per cent, m the case ot cotton and cotton composition household and industrial gloves was asked by Mr Ernest L. Wyles. He said the Japanese had secured the market. No New Zealand manufacturers were making the lines. The type of glove was that commonly used for household and garden purposes, and by some factory workers. Referring to the importation of lead pencils Mr Douglas A. Adams manufacturers’ representative, said that, while British manufacturers could hold their own with anyone else in the manufacture of high grades in lead pencils there were difficulties in their way that prevented them from keeping up. with foreign competition in the production of cheap pencils, such as were used in schools. Unless the duty was removed or substantially decreased, there was no chance ot the British product being sold in blew Zealand at one penny. Mr George Francis T. Rowe, manager of iMessrs Fairbairn, Wright, and Co., gave evidence on behalf of the Council of Tobacco Manufacturers of Great Britain, which asked for a readjustment of the duties on English cigarettes. The duties were 33s Bd to 17s 9d per 1000. accordini? to Grade. It was asked that these rates should be reduced to 23s 9d and Harold Barlow asked that cigarette papers should be admitted duty free from all countries. The present duties were 25 per cent. British and 50 per cent, general. At present there was serious competition from Australia. Mr W. J. Clowden Wardlaid, representing Messrs J. and R. Pennent, of Glasgow, brewers, asked that the present duty of 2 S a gallon on English beer should be reduced. He considered that the protection given to New Zealand beer with the exchange added was too high. He suggested that English beer should be allowed 5 per cent, of the market instead of .435 per cent., which it held at present. Mr Pascoe: Do you consider that 5 per cent, of the trade would satisfy your ideas of the Ottawa agreement? Witness said it would certainly satisfy his principals, as it would mean an increase of 10 times the present amount.