THE NEW TARIFF

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14820, 7 December 1921, Page 5

THE NEW TARIFF

CONSIDERED BY HOUSE GOOD PROGRESS MADE. CASEIN MACHINERY FREtf. (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The House of Representatives resumed consideration of the new tnrff early this afternoon, and made good progress during the afternoon and evening. Class 10, whic"' was dealt with first, contains s metals and machinery of all sorts, and many details were discussed briefly by the members interested. Objection was taken to the duties on castiron pipes, on the ground that they were used chiefly by local bodies. The Minister replied that pipes were being made successfully in New Zealand, and it was stated, further, that castiron pipes came from German manufacturers. The duty was retained. Members suggested that a preferential duty should be imposed on wire in the interests of British manufacturers. Wire is free under all headings at present, and country members emphasised the importance of avoiding any increase of price. The Minister promised to look into the suggestion. Wire-netting is free under preferential tariff, but is charged 10 per cent, under the general tariff. The member for Wakatipu, as representing a rabbitinfested district, asked for the removal of the duty in order that netting might be cheapened. His amendment was rejected by 43 votes to 16. Local railway boards should be put on the same footing as the State railways on the importation.of locomotives, contended Mr J. A. Young (Waikato). The duties set forth in the new tariff are. 20 per cent, preferential, 30 per cent, intermediate, and 35 per cent, general. Mr Young thought that local railway boards should be allowed to bring in their locomotives free. He pointed out that the local railways were going to open up the back country and feed the Stale railways. Would the Minister, he asked, consider the suggestion he had submitted? The Minister of Customs said that the duties had been pulron for the protection of New Zealand builders of locomotives, and he added that Government importations were to be subject to the payment of duty. Mr Young moved that the British preference should be reduced from 20 to 10 per cent. The amendment was lost on the voices. A motion by Mr Young adding casein machinery to the other dairying machinery on the free list was carried. Items held over for consideration by the Minister included cash-registers and adding machines, which were free in the original tariff and were made subject to 20 per cent, duty by amending resolution. Some objection was taken to the duty on vacuum pumps for milking machines. Mr Young pointed out that excellent pumps were made in New Zealand. The rough castings of the pump were made in Thames, and the finishing in Hamilton, and it was probably the best vacuum pump in New Zealand, and he thought it was cheap. Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) asked for the protection of New Zealand manufacturers of dry paints and colours. The Minister stated that raw materials were not produced in New Zealand, but members stated that suitable earths had been found. Several members asked for increased protection for the motor body industry. The Minister said that the general duty of 25 per cent covered most of (lie imported cars, and constituted substantial protection, but he promised to consider the item. . A proposal that perambulators should be admitted free was rejected, after the claims of local industry had been stated. The timber duties were discussed for two hours. Members pointed to the big discrepancy between mill prices and merchants' prices, and suggested that the cost of building was being inflated by the unnecessarily high cost of limber. The representatives of the sawmilling districts presented their side of the case, but the duties were not, amended. The House reached the end of the schedule soon after midnight, but some : points held over for consideration will be taken later in the week.