ALLEGED THREAT

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1933, Page 6

ALLEGED THREAT

TARIFF AGAINST BRITAIN INTERPRETATION OF CABLE COMMISSION DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURERS RETRACT TIME FOR CONSIDERATION By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. An unexpected development took place at to-day’s sitting of the Tariff Commission, when the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation applied for permission to suspend all arrangements for-the taking of further evidence on its behalf. This action was taken as the result of an interpretation placed upon the reported statements made by a British Cabinet Minister, from which it was inferred that if the Dominion did not pursue a policy of reducing Customs duties its products would be subject to preferential duty and to a quota. In the circumstances the Federation believed .it futile to continue with its representations. The request was granted. Mr. A. E. Mander, general secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, said he desired to bring under the notice of the Commission the following extract from a newspaper report of an address by Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., president, to the conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union: A defimto statement had been made by-a British Minister that if New Zealand did not reduce tariffs the Dominion would be subject first to a preferential duty and sec- . ond to a restriction of New Zealand imports into Great Britain.” “In our view,” Mr. Mander said, 'this statement, if authentic, constitutes a direct threat to the New Zealand Government if it does not pursue a particular line of policy—a reduction of tariff duties. On the presumption that this is correct it appears that the continuation of the present inquiry is rendered futile, and there would appear to be little use .in New Zealand manufacturers, continuing to come forward and give evidence. We <■ view the matter in a very grave right, and application is now made to the commission to suspend for a few days all arrangements for the taking of the manufacturers’ further evidence, allowing us these few days in which to reconsider our position.” , Professor Murphy: I dont know tnat we can take any cognisance of a report in the newspapers of a hearsay remark made at some conference. What evidence is there that any British Minister said this? Who said it, and when and where did he say it? We are not committed by the remarks of speakers at Farmers Union conferences. I don’t think we can allow that to affect our work. Mr. Mander: This statement, was made by a responsible public man in a presidential address. . , Mr. Murphy: What business is that of ours? . . Mr. Mander: It is no business of yours, sir, but a great deal of business of ours. Mr. Murphy: Surely it is a matter between you and him. There. is no evidence that any responsible Minister ever said this. Mr. Gow: In any case we have our order of reference laid down by the Ottawa Conference to deal with; any remarks made about the country are no concern of ours. . Dr Craig: The position is that certain appointments been made by your organisation, and ir you don t wish to bring forward witnesses during the next few days you can apply to have the matter postponed. Mr. Mander: Yes, sir, that is the whole substance of the application. Dr. Craig: We have rio objection to that. Will you indicate when you wish to resume. , .. t Mr. Mander: Yes, we will do that, if we want to resume.