STATEMENTS FROM CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 16

STATEMENTS FROM CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTOHURCH, July 17. On the whole the grocers seem fairly well satisfied with the changes 'in the tariff on articles for human consumption and household commodities. After Ootober 31 dried fruits, prunes, dates, and such like goods will be admitted free. "The duty on these has hitherto been 2d per lb, ' said a representative grocer to a Truth reporter who was making inquiries, "so the change will be a welcome one to the housekeeper. Currants and raisins will also be brought in free, which will mean a • decrease of Id per lb in price, that being the present duty on these articles. With one or two exceptions the Government seems to have aoted on the suggestions made by the Grocers' Association. We recommended that 6Ugar and dried fruits should' have the duty knocked off, and this been done. Another thing lam pleased to see is that the present tariff on tobacco has been adhered to. If it had been lowered the trust which controls operations would probably have kept prices <>he same as they are now, which would mean that the duty saved would have gone into its private coffers instead of the public getting 1 its tobacco cheaper.' "I think it is a wise step,' replied another large dealer in answer to a question in regard to raising the tariff on candles from Id to lid per lb. "The candles manufactured locally are very good — not quite go good as the imported article -and it is, of course, always desirable to encourage local industry. One thing I don't quite understand is that it is proposed to impose a duty on 'petroleum oil of id. Petroleum oil is kerosene, and id per gallon is an absurd tariff to levy, and would hardly be worth collecting. Tho duty was formerly 6d per gallon, and it im quite unfathomable why £cl should be proposed. It would be Car better to allow, kerosene to remain duty free as at present, B-nd I hardly tiink the proposal can' b* carried." "The changes, as far as we are concerned, are all satisfactory," said another g rocer with a large business, " but I think the authorities might have gone further: *nd lifted the tariff on tinned fisb. At present there is 2d duty on a. tin of fiahl which sells for 6d, which, to say the least; is cutting things pretty fine. This wa« ane of the proposals recommended by tho jlrocers' Association, but it haa evidently