QUOTAS AND TARIFFS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22096, 28 October 1933, Page 5

QUOTAS AND TARIFFS

TO TUE EDITOR. Sir,—ln your issue of the 14th iust. there was a report of a meeting of the Manufacturers’ Association, or rather a report of a statement by Mr James Hogg, It would almost seem as if it Were a special meeting called to enable Mr Hogg to exploit a statement made by Mr David Jones, chairman of the Meat Producers’, Board, on his return from England. Mr Hogg commends Mr Jones for his honesty in admitting the true position regarding quotas and their relation to the New Zealand tariff. The statement commended is as follows: I have seen It stated that If we gave a free market to British manufacturers this would solve all our quota troubles. I am satisfied that If we gave Prcetrade to England to-morrow It would not have any bearing on the matter. It was made clear at Ottawa that Britain could not favour one dominion more than another, and, after discussing the matter with responsibly people at Home, I am satisfied that there is no variation of that principle in sight. Now in the first place, quotas are not affecting New Zealand at present, consequently we have no immediate troubles to solve. We may have to submit to quota restriction in the future, and Mr Jones’s board is satisfied that the extent to which we shall be affected will depend on the tariff concessions we make to Britain in the next two years. Mr Hogg states that Mr Jones substantiates the views voiced by the Manufacturers’ Federation. Mr Hogg, and Mr Jones are apparently in agreement, but they may both be making the same mistake. I venture to say that it was not “ made clear at Ottawa that Britain could not favour one dominion more than another.” No such principle was adopted. It is true that some dominion representatives tried strenuously to get this principle adopted, but British representatives firmly refused to accede to their request. Were this principle adopted, any dominion could raise the tariff against British goods, could indeed prohibit the entry of British goods altogether, secure in the knowledge that Britain would continue to give as favourable treatment to its as was given to those of any other dominion. The position has only to be stated to show its utter absurdity. The Meat Producers’ Board's views are on record in the evidence which it tendered to the Tariff Commission, and Mr Jones has, so far as I know, not in any way disassociated himself from these views.— l am, etc., James Beuo. October 27.