CUSTOMS RESOLUTIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 7

CUSTOMS RESOLUTIONS

ADOPTION BY PARLIAMENT MINOR AMENDMENTS AGREED TO. MOTOR-CARS AND RADIO SETS. ASSEMBLY IN THE DOMINION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Ind., Eden) asked the Minister of Justice in the House of Representatives to-day whether he had yet given effect to the representations made by Auckland citizens that some tangible acknowledgment should be made to those members of the police force whose special services in connection with the Ruawarp murder case were deserving of recognitioh. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe replied that no representations had been made, but the department had not overlooked the matter; it was receiving attention. The Timaru Milk Bill (the Rev. Clyde Carr) was introduced and read a first time. At the conclusion of the Budget debate the House proceeded to discuss a further amendment to the Customs resolutions. Mr. Coates explained that it was proposed to fix the rate of duty on foreign radio sets not mounted in cabinets at 35 per cent, and for those mounted at 45 per cent. He explained that under the previous resolution it would not be possible for the New Zealand manufacturer of sets, which had now assumed big proportions, to carry on efficiently. The British tariff was unaltered. It was also proposed to exempt from duty United Kingdom chinaware, including breakfast, dinner, and tea sets, and cups, saucers, plates, dishes, and similar articles for table use. Mr. Coates said it was necessary that a list of goods which would be admitted as unassembled or completely knocked down motor vehicles should be published for general information. It was considered that in the initial stages it would not be advisable as a condition of admission of goods at the lower rate to insist upon a maximum amount of assembly work that could possibly be performed in New Zealand. It was therefore necessary that authority should be conferred on the Minister to determine from time to time .goods which might be entered as unassembled or completely knocked down motor vehicles. A number of other machinery amendments were made and the resolutions were agreed to. The committee stage of the Customs Act Amendment Bill was commenced when the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. LABOUR AND WHEAT DUTIES. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, referred to the wheat duties. He said the constitution of the Wheat Board should be altered and the grower given greater representation. He would like to see the Minister take control of the administration, or he should see that consumers’ interests were watched. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Co., Riccarton) said that had it not been for the Wheat Board the industry would have been in a chaotic condition. It enabled growers to secure a price they would not have obtained otherwise. Mr. R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South) said the flourmills were overcapitalised and the price of bread was kept too high. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Ind., Egmont) attached the sliding scale of wheat and flour duties and said there were too many flourmills. The unnecessary ones should be closed. Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Lab., Christchurch East) supported the sliding scale of wheat duties.

Mr. W. J. Polson (Co., Stratford) urged the exemption from duty of steel pipes. He said there was only one firm in New Zealand making pipes. The duty of 20 .per cent, on British pipes should be abolished to give British firms a chance of tendering for local body contracts. He considered the protection should also be reduced from British confectionery. Mr. J. A. Nash (Co., Palmerston North) said the sliding scale was wrong in its incidence. Some steps should be taken to see that bread was sold at a minimum price, but they must see that the grower received a reasonable price for his work.

Mr. H. G. Dickie (Co., Patea) contended that there was too large a difference between the price the grower received for wheat and the price of bread. Mr. W. A. Veitch (Co., Wanganui) supported the abolition of the sliding scale and said his constituents were paying more for bread than bread was worth. BRAN AND POLLARD. Mr. J. A. McPherson (Co., Oamaru) defended the sliding scale and said bran and pollard were more important than all the the flour industry. The dairy and pig industries were dependent on bran and pollard, and that showed the importance of the wheat industry to New Zealand.

Mr. D. G. Sullivan! (Lab., Avon) said he was not particular in what way protection was given the grower so long as the industry was safeguarded. Mr. A. Stewart (Co., Rangitikei) said there was no more important industry than wheatgrowing. He thought the wheat duty was a reasonable one. The Rev. Clyde Carr (Lab., Timaru) said every country protected its wheat industry. A flat rate duty would not give stability and protect the farmer. Mr. P. C. Webb (Lab., Buller) said he regretted a duty was not placed on crude oil and oil-burning machinery, and that nothing was done to assist the coalmining industry. He considered, too, that a tax should be placed on imported coal. Mr. J. Connolly (Co., Mid-Canter-bury) supported the wheat duties and defended the sliding scale. He said it was unnecessary to import Australian or Canadian wheat and flour if New Zealand wheat was properly matured. Mr. R. Semple (Lab., Wellington East) said he hoped the duty would be taken off white lead, which, he said, would benefit the community and not the combine that at present controlled the paint industry. Much work would be put in hand if the price of paint was reduced. Mr. E. F. Healy urged a reduction of the duty on steel pipes and Mr. W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier) sought an assurance from the , Minister that New Zealand’s wine industry would not be adversely affected by alterations in the duties.

Mr. R. W. Hawke (Co., Kaiapoi) supported the sliding scale of wheat and flour duties. He contended that the bakers were making good profits at the present prices, unless they had heavy debts to offset the profit. Mr. J. Hargest (Co., Invercargill) referred to the motor-car industry and said it had no competitor in New Zealand. An increasing number of foreign cars was entering New Zealand and something should be done to assist British car manufacturers.

The short title of the Bill was passed, progress was reported and the House rose at 11.30 p.m.