TARIFF ON MOTOR-CARS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1930, Page 11

TARIFF ON MOTOR-CARS

THE ANTI-CANADA MOVE SUBJECT TABOO AT PRESENT. NEGOTIATIONS IN PROGRESS. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter). Wellington, Last Night. A protest against the manner in which the Government raised the tariff against Canadian motor-cars was voiced in the House of Representatives today by Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), who declared the Government should have taken the House into its confidence. The control of finance was the greatest function of Parliament and members should have a say on monetary questions. Mr.' W. Downio Stewart (Dunedin West) said he thought the Government had taken the action it did in order to be in a position to negotiate with Canada, and unless there was an overwhelming necessity it would be unwise to debate the question at the present juncture because it. would give the Canadians to understand that New Zealand was not unanimous on the matter. The acting Prime. Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, said the negotiations between the Canadian and New Zealand Governments were of considerable delicacy, and it was not desirable that too much publicity should be given to the matter while they were in progress. Negotiations were in hand with the McKenzie King Government prior to the Canadian election, and subsequently with the newly elected Government, but without any happy result. It was felt that in the circumstances, action should bo taken under the provisions contained in tho Customs Amendment Act, 1921, under which the Governor-General was. empowered, in eerjtain .cases to alter the tariff. In the protection of local industries it was not desirable that any section of trade should have an advantage over others, and it was felt in the interests particularly of the negotiations in regard to the butter trade and other exports to Canada that the impost should bo placed on Canadian motorcars. It was felt that the Prime Minister would thus be in a stronger position to negotiate with Canada. He felt sure members would not give any indication while the negotiations were in progress that Parliament was not behind the action tho Government had taken. To do so would be to weaken its position.