TARIFF REVISION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18089, 16 May 1933, Page 7

TARIFF REVISION

COMPREHENSIVE TASK COMMISSION’S PLANS PULL EVIDENCE INVITED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Royal Commission which proposes shortly to commence an investigation of the New Zealand tariff, will hold sittings in public in various parts of the Dominion. As a preliminary, it has invited evidence regarding the customs tariff from any association, organisation, or representative of any trade or industry, while the -commission itself reserves the right to require such evidence.

'Though the proceedings will be public, provision will be made to receive evideneo confidentially, where desired.

As tlie whole of tho tariff is to be reviewed, an important warning is given by the commission that any individual or company desiring that the 'xisting tariff should be maintained, increased, or reduced, should give evidence, as in the absence of such representations .the commission may come to a conclusion contrary to the interests of such individual or company, and different from that which would have been arrived at had the evidence been tendered.

The chairman of the commission is Dr. G. Craig, comptroller of customs. Its report is due ou September 30. For the purpose of taking tho evidence of persons desirous of making representations, the commission proposes to visit various places in New Zealand. A special Gazette issued last night sets out the procedure to be followed by those making representa- . ion, and the schedule of information it will be necessary for these people to supply.

SITTINGS IN FOUR CENTRES

A statement explaining the procedure, signed by the comptroller, says any person desiring to make representations in person should advise him at Wellington as to the article or ..■tides in respect of which it is wished that the customs tariff should be maintained or altered. It is essential, the statement proceeds, that the place or places at which such evidence can bo tendered should be stated as soon as possible, as the itinerary of the commission must be arranged early. Where any association, organisation, or other body representing any particular industry, trade, or commercial interest is in a position to tender evidence of a satisfactory and comprehensive character, and desires to do so, such evidence’would be preferred. Where personal evidence is to be given before the commission, the person intending to appear should previously supply, if possible, written information along the lines set out in tho schedule.

Notice will be given in the Gazette, anil in the principal daily newspapers published in the district, its to tho time and place at which the commission will sit in the various centres, but it is not likely that sittings will be held except at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. As the commission is to report before September 30, it will be necessary for those interested to indicate as soon as possible the matters upon which they desire to make representations. All the evidence, if the wituess so desires, and subject to the approval of the commission, will be regarded as confidential. The schedule sets out the lines of Information to be given, including details of production, management, and distribution charges, as well as the capital involved in the particular industry. Provision is also made for details of prospective industries.