TARIFF INQUIRY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 9

TARIFF INQUIRY.

Personnel of Commission Drawn Up. (Special to the ” Star.") WELLINGTON, May 3. It is understood that the personnel of the Commission which is to inquire into the New Zealand tariff, in accordance with the agreement reached at the Ottawa Conference, has been finally drawn up, and that it is awaiting formal approval by Cabinet. The Commission is likely to make an early start on its work, which will be of a protracted nature, and which it is hoped to complete in time to permit Parliament to revise the schedules next session. . It is expected that the Commission will be limited to three members—probably a leading commercial man, an economist and the Comptroller of Customs (Dr G. Craig). The chief duty of the Commission will be a complete investigation of the tariff of New Zealand, the object being to place the British manufacturer on the same basis as the domestic manufacturer. Government’s Undertaking. In its investigation of the tariff the Dominion is bound by the following clauses in the Ottawa Agreement:— “His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand undertakes that protection by tariffs shall be afforded against United Kingdom products only in those industries which are reasonably assured of sound opportunities of success. “His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand undertakes to institute an inquiry into the existing protective duties and where necessary to reduce them as speedily as possible to such a level as will place the United Kingdom manufacturer in the position of | domestic competitor—that is, that I the protection afforded to the New Zealand producer shall be on a level which will give the United Kingdom producer full opportunity of reasonable competition on the basis of the relative cost of economical and efficient production. “His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand undertakes that United Kingdom producers shall have the opportunity of putting forward their views in connection with the inquirv referred to.”