AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14457, 1 June 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

PROTECTION AND PIiEJ'EItE.NCE. LABOUR AXD IMMIGRATION. Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright, MELBOURNE, May 31. The resolutions of tho ocnferonce of the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers, held at Launoeston in March, were tho Bubjeot of a deptitatiou to Mr Hughes, tho Acting Federal Premier. Tho requesta included increased prolerenoe for Australian manufactured articles for Government undertakings; the appointment of a permanent nonpolitical Tariff Board; preferential "trade with tho self-governing portions of the Empire, particularly in reference to British goods carried on British ships; tli© extension of tho immigration policy to embrace approved immigrants of white races otlijer than British; tho prohibition of dangerous and indecent drugs; a uniform railway gauge for Australia. Mr Hughes admitted that there were a few tariff anomalies, but generally the tariff had not prevented a state of unparalleled prosperity. The Government were there to see that tHe publio did not pay too much for goods made in Australia. He asked if protection were needed as a safeguard to industries, or to §well profits. He waa not opposed to a Tariff Board 1 , but desired to see the tariff effective. He desired local preference, but not regardless cf cost. Ho would bo glad of suggestions as to what was a reasonable margin of profit. The question of immigration was a matter for the States. The Commonwealth had taken effective steps to encourage people by legisla- , tioi. He believed that they should alter the proportions in which land was held. lie did not think they should look 'outside Britain for immigrants. Ho disagreed with one speaker who ; said German immigrants were more skilled than British. The German was less, desirable as for ■&& we were concorned. A' representative of a Leeds Urm of tweed manufacturers is investigating tho prospects regarding the opening of mills in Australia. He considers that the conditions of labour mako mills impracticable.