CANADIAN TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1924, Page 5

CANADIAN TARIFF.

ASSISTING THE FARMER. IMPLEMENTS TAX FREE. LOWER CUSTOMS DUTIES. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 22, 8.30 p.m. Ottawa, May 21. In consequence of the Budget announcements exempting farm implements from the sales tax, combined with a lowering of the customs duties on raw material, Canadian manufacturers of farming machinery have announced substantial reductions in their domestic prices, and are hopeful of increasing sales on the domestic market and ' holding or increasing the established export trade. The new customs duties providing for substantial reductions make the present sale on mowing machines, harvesters, reapers and binders and attachments duty free under the British preferential tariff and six per cent, net under the general tariff schedule. Cultivators, seed drills, harrows and parts are now duty free under the British preferential tariff and 7J per cent, net under the general tariff schedule. Ploughs and complete parts pay a duty of five per cent, under the British preferential tariff and 10 per cent, under the general tariff schedule, with the exception of some minor lines. The highest duties on farming implements imported into Canada do not exceed 10 per cent, under the general schedule.

The Massey-Harris Company, in a statement to the Press, says: “We shall endeavour to adjust ourselves to the new conditions and will give the Canadian farmer every possible advantage arising from the changes made. The provisions exempting farm implements from the sales tax are most welcome, and these, combined with the lower customs duties on raw materials, now enable the manufacturer to make an immediate reduction in his prices.” In view of the recent action of Britain in removing the preferential tariff duties, a stimulus has been given in Canada to the movement for a reciprocal agreement between Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa for a preferential agreement to mutual advantage.