THE NEW TARIFF.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 59

THE NEW TARIFF.

BICYCLE MANUFACTURERS* GRIEVANCES. A deputation of bicycle manufacturer* waited on the Minister of Customs on Monday. The deputation's complaint was thati while imported bicycles under the original tariff were subject to a duty of 20 per cent., the fittings required for local manufacture were similarly treated. [Not all the fittings, some of which are admitted duty free.— Demon.] They asked that all material for looal manufacture should be admitted duty free. They -also wanted! such duty as would shut out the low-grade,, cheaply-manufactured machine. The Hon. J. A. Millar said the duty on bicycles and bicycle parts had been framed after a careful survey of the information put before the Government. Seven months ago he had intimated that a revision of the tariff would take place. It was too late to come along mow and ask for increases of duty on . the imported article. The House could reduce the duty on any item, but it had no power to inoreaae., The only way to do this would be to withdraw the whole of the resolutions and! submit fresh ones. He would look into the matter, but would frankly tell ihe deputation that " he did not see that its requirements could be met at this stage. It might Jbe possible to do something in* the way of imposing a special duty oa cheap articles from outside. A member of the deputation: Well, if the resolutions are put through, a great injustice will be done to the cycle trade, during the next three years. Mr Millar.:. Three yearal I nromjat

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you I don't intend to touch another tariff while I am in the House. MOTOE CARS. in reply to a deputation of tradesmen which asked that the duty be retained on. motor 3ars, the Minister of Customs said it had been already intimated by the Prime Minister that white the ohaaeis (the frame, wheels, etc.) would be admitted duty free, the ordinary body would pay duty ac before. The whole matter was to be discussed by Cabinet at an early date. At Monday's meeting of delegates of th*» various automobile associations, the Tariff proposals were discussed, and it was decided to recommend that the preferential duty be 12£ per cent instead of 20 per cent, that in regard to tyres the British makes be given a preference of 12i per cent. ; and that there be a duty of 12J per cent, on all bodies. A deputation was appointed to bring these resolutions under the notice of the Minister of Customs. Later in the day a deputation headed by the Hon. T. W. Hiplop (Mayor of Wellington) intimated that a New Zealand Automobile Association had been founded that day, and that it approved of the policy of fostering native industries and wse prepared to support the imposition of a duty on bodies of cars to tlw extent of 12£ per cent. What they were irost anxious about was the tyres, of which the bulk came from Europe. The view as to the bodies of cars was combatted by Mr Scott (an importer), who contended that bodies for motor cars would still have to be imported, and that the English makers would not allow full rebates for bodies when supplying only chassis and engine. The Minister's reply indicated that the coachbuilders' request for duty would be acceded to and that he considered the point as to ±yres not worth troubling over, s&eing thafc special concessions were made to colonial customers by Continental makers. He considered 12£ per cent, duty on bodies insufficient. It should be 20 per cent, to make it uniform with duties eha'rged on bodies for other vehicles.