FOREIGN IMPORTS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1932, Page 5

FOREIGN IMPORTS

GOOD SOURCE OF REVENUE. AUCKLAND MERCHANT’S VIEWS. The point that New Zealand has something to gain from importations from foreign countries is made by Mr. A. W. Boucher, Auckland, in a communication to the New Zealand Herald, in which he refers to proceedings at the Ottawa Conference and expresses the view, that the attitude taken up by New Zealand’s delegates on this question will be interesting to watch. One feature that had not so 'far been touched upon, said Mr. Boucher, was the revenue which was secured by the New Zealand Government from importations , from foreign countries. An article appearing on the “free” list from Great Britain, and carrying say 25 per cent, duty from foreign countries, naturally contributed very substantially to our revenue if it was imported, for example from France. “There are many instances to-day of aoods imported from foreign countries which are. producing more economically than British countries,” added Mr. Boucher, “and in these cases our Government collects a substantial revenue,

It might be • interesting to know that the claim made by countries supplying such materials is that as a result of their efficiency they are able to supply an article suitable for. the public of this Dominion and at the same time contribute to the revenue of our Government. There is no such thing as “dumping” for the reason that our customs declara-. tions provide that the article i sold in New Zealand must not be sold to importers at a price below the home consumption value. This condition ig well

established so that can bo no claim that there is dumping by foreigners. “There is no’ doubt of the fact that where there is a heavy duty on foreign goods, and these goods come into this country, the Government secures a substantial revenue through the efficient methods adopted by the foreign, country and’that the public are satisfied with an article that meets their requirements. If the article were not satisfactory to. the public obviously they would not continue to buy.” J.-'’'"