IRONMASTERS WANT INCREASED TARIFF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18406, 7 March 1928, Page 11

IRONMASTERS WANT INCREASED TARIFF.

“ COULD EMPLOY MORE MEN IF IMPORT EASED.” (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, March 6. In order to protect New Zealand secondary industries and ensure greater distribution of money within the Dominion itself a proposal is before the conference of ironmasters at present being held at Auckland to ask the Government to impose an extra 10 per cent on the tariff to assist the manufacturing industries of the country. The president, Mr H. M. Warner, said it was unfortunate that business in the engineering industries had been unsatisfactory during the year and that many lines which could be manufactured within the Dominion were being imported at prices at which it was impossible for the New Zealander to hope to compete. “However,” the president added optimistically, “ the good prices that are now being secured for our exports of butter and wool give promise of improved trade as money comes into circulation.” Mr Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Employers’ Association, said the difficult period through which trade was passing was not improved by the fact that large quantities of ’goods that could be mnaufactured here were being imported. “I believe that we could employ many more men and ensure greater circulation of money if we ease up a little on some of our imports of goods that could as well be made here,” he said. Mr J. B. Shacklock (Dunedin) foresaw the settlement of the unemployment problem if greater scope were given to New Zealand manufacturers. “The time might come when in self protection we will be forced to buy our own goods,” he said, “and I think the sooner that time comes the sooner will we realise our responsibilities.”