OBJECTIONS TO TARIFF

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1931, Page 11

OBJECTIONS TO TARIFF

CROCKERY AND EARTHENWARE. CONTENTIONS OF IMPORTERS. Alternatives to the Government’s tariff proposals are to be placed before members of Parliament on behalf of the Auckland importers of such goods as china, earthenware and linoleum. It is claimed that the alternatives would result in considerable more' revenue being raised and thus allow concessions to be made on individual items. It is suggested that such additional duties be imposed as the Government deems necessary, but that the clauses be deleted by which these duties will be taken off after a definite period, so as to give the trade some security of tenure. The Government is urged to substitute a 2 per cent, general primage whole range of imports, both “free” and dutiable, in place of the 3 per cent, primage on “free” goods. Such a duty, it is claimed, would not only raise considerably more revenue and allow a margin for concessions on other goods, but would maintain the existing rate of preference on British goods, and at the same time the burden would be carried equitably by the whole community instead of solely by the primary producer and the secondary industries. The 2 per cent, primage, it is stated, would •not in any. way dislocate trade or adversely react on other revenues. It could be • taken off without notice -when better times warranted it.

' The 2 per cent, general primage in place of the 3 per cent, primage on “free” goods, it is held, would enable all the small temporary duties under clauses 5, 7 and 8 to be eliminated and still produce more revenue. The major- items under this schedule which are at present free, namely, china, earthenware, linoleum and gramophone records, could be made dutiable, and permanently.