TARIFF COMMISSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 170, 21 July 1933, Page 8

TARIFF COMMISSION

DUTIES ON BISCUITS. NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY. [ Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, July 20. The retention of the existing duties on biscuits and confectionery was sought before the Tariff Commission by Mr. R. 11. Webb, of Aulsebrooks, and Air. C. AL Smith, of Cad bury, Fry, and Hudson. The total pur chases of raw material in the last three years were given as £1,391,167, 64 per cent, being of New Zealand origin, including 52 per cent, purchased direct from primary industry. The figures for the industry showed over 2000 pro ductive workers and over £200,-QOO per annum in wages. The output value of New Zealand biscuits and confectionery was over £1,320,000. Duty on Footwear. Substantial reductions in ,tlic duties on British footwear, were sought by Air. H. C. Alurray on behalf of Bostock and Clark Ltd., and other shoe importers. Air. Alurray said that during recent years the local boot and shoe industry had made rapid development and a high standard of efficiency ha t now been, reached. He submitted that the continued protection was not necessary and that, in accordance with the Ottawa Agicement, the United Kingdom manufacturer should be given an opportunity for reasonable competition on a basis of relative costs and economical and efficient production. "Surely local manufacturers must now recognise that goods pay for goods and that we cannot have onjway traffic," said Mr. Alurray. "In view of the recent happenings at Home this is now a national question arid there is urgent need for them to re view their position and be prepared to make concessions where possible. It would appear an absolute necessity to do this in order to protect the primary industries and for the ultimate welfare of the country as/ a whole, it is therefore more than disappointing • • be unable to find even one instanc-* of a local manufacturer being pre pared to concede any part of their pre sent duty protection. If they are unable to make this concessions, the onus should lie on the firms concerned to prove that they really need a con tinuanco of the present duty and that they arc not relying on the tariff to act as an embargo on the importation of English footwear."