UNRECIPROCAL TARIFF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16585, 18 November 1921, Page 4

UNRECIPROCAL TARIFF.

ACTION, EFFBOT OX DOMINION, (.Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 17. New Zealand manufactutrers have stab«'rj frequently and emphatically that the protectionist Government of the Common wealth acted unmistakably on I the motto “ Advance Australia!** in I the matter of the tariff. The Austraj ]mn advance is so- high against New 2iea.la.nd that tiic Dominion’s manufactures now 'arc practically excluded. The subject was further discussed at today’s meeting of delegates from the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago Industrial Associations. Mr v • ,7. Ward (president of the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand) v. as ui the chair. It was mentioned that before Australia imposed a very high i a riff against Dominion vessels, the Tasman Sea trade had as good freights from New Zealand to Australia as they bad <m iln return voyage. One Christchurch linn, which made farming implements and machinery, used to scud more than a quarter of its total output to Australia. Other similar firms also had a good share of this trade,'but- a result of Australia’s exclusive tariff was that steamers now took comparatively little cargo ifom New Zealand to Australia, but usually returned well laden. It vas stated that agents for Australian goods were very busy_ getting orders at present, while the New Zealand tariff was so favourable to tho Commonwealth. It was feared by New Zealand manufacturers that if the Aus- j V, a linns had even throe months’ grace j they could do enough dumping to cause , : serious trouble to some of the Do- j minion’s industries for flic next twelve j months. Several speakers expressed their won- j derment as to why the New Zealand - Government was giving such light, kidglove treatment to a- country which had put a “bare knuckle punch” into the Dominion. It was said that when Australia raised tho high tariff barrier there was no notice to other countries. The Commonwealth Government had | acted quickly, on the principle of j “ Australia first.” without regard to ] the feelings of other nations. This sudden action had caused much loss io some New Zealand manufacturers, because j cargoes which left New Zealand before i the new tariff was made found the 1 nrrier too high to pass when the voyage ended, and the goods had to conic l ack to New Zealand, also cargoes which other countries had intended u land in Australia were diverted to New Zealand, thus flooding the Dominion j market. Tho meeting expressed the belief emphatically that in common fairness to New Zealand manufactures, Australia should be lifted immediately into the. third schedule of the tariff. It would be merely putting Australia into the place where Australia would naturally expect to bo, after Australia bad treated New Zealand as if it were an Asiatic country. Surprise was expressed at reported Ministerial statements that the Gov- j eminent did not seem to be seeing and hearing anything opposed to the tariff. The meeting decided that it would give the Government ample opportunity to learn definitely and positively that tho tariff had defects detrimental to important manufacturing enterprise in New Zealand. Reference was made to Ministerial remarks about anti-dumping legislation, but the meeting resolved that, it would have more confidence in reasonable adjustments of tariff than in legislation which might be- evaded by dumpers, because detection and proof of dumping for purposes of conviction might be very difficult. Delegates said that the manufacturers in the four centres were grateful to the leading papers of tho Dominion of different shades of political opinion, ; which were supporting tho “Made in > New Zealand ” movement, particularly l op the issue with Australia.. A resolution of (banks to the Press for iis I practical and sympathetic help was I adopted.