CUSTOMS DUES

Southland Times, Issue 22040, 13 June 1933, Page 5

CUSTOMS DUES

COMMISSION’S INQUIRY MR MANDER EXAMINED THE PREFERENCE CLAUSE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 12. The examination of Mr A. Mander, Secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association by Captain Colbeck, representing the Farmers’ Union, occupied most of the time of the tariff commission to-day. Mr Mander denied that manufacturers were selling at excess profit. He suggested preference should be confined to goods which were one hundred per centum Empire produce. Captain Colbeck asked whether if the protection were removed New Zealand might support a population of 1,600,000 and inquired whether Mr Mander was in earnest when he made that statement.

Mr Mander replied: I was on oath. You insult me when you say I was not in earnest.

Captain Colbeck: I suggest that protection increases the cost of production.

Mr Mander: I don’t admit that. Answering a further question, Mr Mander said that quality for quality, New Zealand goods were cheaper than British. He agreed' that if the cost of living fell 25 per cent., wages could be reduced by that amount without loss to the workers, but denied that in such a case manufactured goods could be reduced by a like amount as the cost had to be considered.

In the afternoon the tariff commission heard representations by Mr W. M. Paterson, Director of Adams Bruce Ltd. Mr Paterson asked for a reduction in the. duty on unsweetened chocolate which he claimed, was in reality raw material. He contended that the rate should be about half of that imposed on the finished product. At present, unsweetened chocolate carried the same rate of duty as ordinary confectionery. Mr Andrew Fletcher, Director of the Fletcher Construction Company asked for the imposition of the duty on electrically welded fabric on the ground that it interfered with New Zealand labour.

The commission adjourned until tomorrow.