TARIFF REVISION.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18946, 16 May 1933, Page 5

TARIFF REVISION.

SITTING OF COMMISSION. TO VISIT VARIOUS CENTRES. PROCEDURE TO BE ADOPTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. For the purpose of taking evidence from persons desirous of making representations, the Tariff Commission proposes to' visit various places In New Zealand. A special gazette Issued tonight sets out the precedure to be followed by those making representation. The commission Is to report on or before September 30.

The Comptroller of Customs, Dr. G. Craig, says any person desiring .to make representations in person should advise him at Wellington as to the article or articles in respect of which it is wished'the customs tariff should be maintained or altered. It is essential, the statement proceeds, that the place or places at which such evidence can be tendered should be stated as soon as possible. The itinerary of the commission must be arranged early.

The Evidenoe Preferred.

Where any association, organisation or other body representing any particular industry, trade or commercial interest, Is in a position to tender evidence of a satisfactory and comprehensive character, and desires to do so, such evifience would be preferred. Where personal evidence is to be given before the commission, the person intending to appear should previously supply, if possible, written Information along the lines set out in the sohedule. Notice will be given In the gazette and In the principal dally newspapers published In the district of the time and place at which the commission will sit in the various centres, but It is unlikely sittings will be held except at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. All evidenoe, if a witness so desires, and subject to the approval of the commission, will be regarded as confidential. The schedule sets out the lines of the Information to be given, including details of production, management and distribution charges, as well as the capital Involved in a particular Industry. Provision is also made for details of prospective industries.

Supported by Authorities.

It is important that as far as possible all evidence tendered to the commission should relate to speciflo articles or classes of articles and that, where it includes matters of fact, such as landed cost, manufactured cost, selling prices, the cost of transport of goods or rates of wages, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere, such evidence should be supported by authorities or other documents on which evidence is based. Any company, firm or person desiring that the existing tariff on any class of goods should be maintained, increased or reduced should give evidence before the commission, the statement concludes, as in the absence of such evidence, the commission may come to a conclusion which would be '"inirary to the interests of such co, uy, firm or person, and which niign t be other than the conclusion which would have been arrived at if such evidence had been tendered.