AUSTRALIA’S NEW BURDEN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12017, 26 March 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S NEW BURDEN.

United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. v Melbourne, March 25 Mr Massey Greene, in introducing the Tariff Bill, said the outstanding lesson of the war left‘no option but to adopt such a policy as would ensure Australia against the commercial bleeding to which it has been subjected. Explaining the Bill he said it provided for substantially increased preference to Britain, and permits reciprocal tariff relationships with other parts of the Empire, which may be granted tbe United Kigndom preferential rate, either in whole or part. • The Bill prohibits reciprocal relationship with any Dominion wherein, the economic conditions are lower than thoge that prevail in Australia. The Bill also provides for extension of the intermediate tariff to any country with which reciprocal trade relationships are arranged, and protects new industries by providing an additional duty to prevent dumping. The umnber of new duties totals 95. In all these cases in the last tariff importations from the United Kingdom were free. Provision is also made tor deferred duty which will become operative at some future date with the object of giving .opportunity for establishing industries in Australia by the time the deterred duty operates and if this is not done the Minister is empowered to postpone the imposition of deferred duty. The new duties come into operation to-day. SOME OF THE PROVISIONS. Sydney, March 25 The new tariff applies to fresh importations, also to goods in bond. Merchants during the past few months have been clearing stocks in anticipation of higher duties. The new principles include provision of an intermediate scale distinct from duties levied on British and other goods, which is to come into force in the event of Australia making reciprocal arrangements with other countries for granting concessions in duties in return for other concessions. There will be also a deferred scale, operating on a date coincident with the establishment of certain new industries in Australia. There will also be provision for increased imports on goods dumped or carried by specially subsidised vessels at ballast rates. Regarding preferential increases affecting Britain and Dominions willing to reciprocate, the tariff provides for preference up to 25 per cent, with a number of items at 15 per cent, to 20 per cent. Increases are proposed on soap, potted meats, pickles, confectionery, sauces, and 7, similar goods, : where local competition exists to keep prices down. Excise duty on industrial denatured spirits is remitted considerably.' Increased protection is given on coal tar products and chemicals. There is an all-round increase of 2P er cent on machinery, and 5 to 10? per cent on boots. Excise duty on tobacco, cigars and cigarettes is unaltered. Kerosene is admitted free. Thejbeer duty is raised threepence per gallon and on spirits by two to three shillings per gallon from the United Kingdom and four shillings from other countries. Sugar is unaltered. Press comments on the tariff suggest that it will undoubtedly increase cost of living as unfortunately it contains no provision for the protection of the consumer.