CUSTOMS TAXATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19842, 17 May 1927, Page 9

CUSTOMS TAXATION

PROPOSED TARIFF BILL BUILDING UP SECONDARY INDUSTRIES. [Per Press Association.] DARGAVILLE, May 16. In the course of®his speech hero this evening, the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) dealt with the question of Customs revision. Air Coates aid: — “ft is a matter of general knowledge that a special tariff committee has been sitting in various parts of the country, enquiring and taking evidence in regard to our present system of Cubtoms taxation. The report of this commission will, I hope, be presented to the Government shortly, together with its recommendations.

It would obviously be out of place for me to discuss at this juncture the policy of any proposed legislation dealing with the all important question of Customs revision. The matter may be regarded as sub judice at present, but it is intended to submit a Tariff Bill as soon as practicable in the coming session.

In connection with our secondary industries I would point out that our Dominion occupies a somewhat singular position, because of its being so largely a primary producing country. A fall in the price of any of our principal products is felt not only by the farmer, but has a much wider effect, thus creating a position of difficulty and hardship. One of the remedies for overcoming the dangers in this respeer, lies along the road of building up our secondary industries. It is necessary particularly in a young country like ours, to have a Customs tariff for revenue purposes, and this will be the case for many years to come. It will be to the general advantage of the country, in my opinion, if we continue to take steps to build up gradually, but securely, such industries as will help to relieve us during times when prices for our primary products in the world’s markets have fallen to a low and unprofitable level. I do not suggest for one moment, that every industry should be encouraged, but careful enquiry would disclose ;he merits of industrial undertakings, particularly whether they were likely tc have securitw of existence, and what measure of assistance, if any, should be extended to them. The country and the town are, and will continue to be, inter-dependent, and I hope our primary producers, on whom the country so largely depends, will in this matter of development of essential industries, take a broad view in the interests of the Dominion as a whole ”