TARIFF REVISION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18204, 27 September 1933, Page 10

TARIFF REVISION

COMMISSION’S INQUIRY MORE EVIDENCE HEARD CANNED MEAT INDUSTRY (I>r Press Association.) OH KISTCIIUKCIt, last night. Tin; evidence before the Customs T:mIT Commission today related to meat extracts and 'paste and tinned meat s. Mr C. (I. Wilkin, secretary of the North and South Island Freezing Coin pan ies ’ Associations, asked that tin' present duties on animal foods, British ‘_’ll per cent. Australian *2O per cent, and foreign -111 per cent, should be maintained. He said that I lie inannl'acttire of these products in the Dominion was a recent development, but The plants were adequate to cope with the demands. He also asked that the present duties on tinned meats, meat extracts and meat pastes should lie retained. He said that the maintenance of production of canning as an adjunct to the freezing industry was necessary in 'the interests of farmers. .Hr 1,. [>. Stevens, director of 11. E. Stevens, Limited, wholesale druggists, discussing Havering essences, asked for a reduction of the excise of 20s a proof gallon to 12s a 'proof gallon on a Icoliol. I f I his u ere done, h" would not oppose- a corresponding re duction in the customs duties, .now ■JUs a gallon British, and -IDs a gallon foreign. lie said the high excise ini spirit compelled m.-mufacl urers lo make synthetic flavors instead of natural flavors. lie made a similar request in respect of perfumed spirits. EMPLOY EES’ CLAIM

- Mr .Limes Piirtell, secretary to the New Zealand Biscuit and Confection cry Workers’ Federal ion, said that 'manufacturers had asked for a retention of the present tariffs. lie claimed that the purpose of the tariff was to protect the workers in an industry as well as the manufacturers, but since the last award had expired the workers 'had been unable to secure a new award unless they Avoir prepared to agree to a -lb per cent reduction in wages, and an increase jn lhours from •Id to IS weekly.

Professor B. L. Murphy: What inference do you want the commission to draw from this statement? Witness: I make this deliberate statement, that if the employers will not agree to anything belter than they have submit ted, they are not entitled to any protect ion at a.II. Mr Dudley V. Wilson, and Mr Henry Ik Diickwnrlh, for Duckworth, Turner and Company, bool manufacturers, asked that the present protection on leather and felt slippers be maintained. saying that if the duties were not reduced the industry would continue and progress. He would ask. however, for adequate protection against Japanese competition, which was increasing.