DUTY ON WATCHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1038, 31 July 1930, Page 18

DUTY ON WATCHES

JEWELLERS PROTEST TO PRIME MINISTER “WIDE VIEW NECESSARY” Press Association WELLINGTON, Wednesday'. The necessiay for taking a wide view of the Government’s taxation proposals was emphasised by the Prime -Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, in replying this evening to a deputation from the wholesale and retail watchmakers and jewellers, which protested against the increase in the duty on watches, if of foreign origin, from 20 per cent to 45 per cent. It was stated that watches could not be made in New Zealand In any cireu instances, and that actually very little watchmaking was done in Great Britain It was contended that the trade was being unfairly penalised. The object of the Government In bringing down the resolutions, said the Prime Minister, was, first and foremost, to derive more revenue. The Government sought also to give preference to British goods, and, in addition, a certain amount of protection to New Zealand industries. ‘We cannot ignore the fact,” he said, ‘‘that this country is dependent on Great Britain. We want to see that the taxation is placed on the shoulders of the people\ with as little inconvenience as possible. Everyone must realise that if the finances of New Zealand are not kept in a sound state the business people will suffer in the long run. “People, perhaps, naturally look at things from their own standpoint. They do riot seem to realise that they are part and parcel of a bigger concern—the State. Anyone who has the’’interests of his country at heart must realise that the unpleasant things must be faced.” The Prime Minister promised to consider the representations made by the deputation.