TARIFF COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19012, 1 August 1933, Page 6

TARIFF COMMISSION.

SITTING AT AUCKLAND.

ALTERATIONS IN DUTIEB URGED. REQUEST FROM STEEL FIRM. [(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) j AUCKLAND, Tuesday. I The Auckland sittings of the Tariff Commission opened to-day. . ji After the chairmah, Dr. Craig, had made a general statement of the objects of the investigation evidence was Coillsd Norman Heath, representing the United Steel Companies, Ltd., of Sheffield, asked that United Kingdom steer bars, etc., should continue to be admitted duty free, that the foreign duty remain at 20. per cent., and that a duty be placed on the products of those Empire countries which did not admit New Zealand produce free. He also urged the Commission to consider the question of dumping. He said that Australian steel materials are being sold in New Zealand at under the Australian prices. Mr Heath said there should be reciprocal trade between the Empire countries. If one bought £5,000,000 worth from New Zealand, New Zealand should buy £5,000,000 from; it. Professor Murphy: “What if only £4,999,990 were purchased? I raise -that absurd point to show that you cannot put trade into channels like that. It would be a practical, impossibility.” Mr Heath agreed that machinery to bring it about would be difficult to devise. He suggested that the duty on Australian steel should not be less than, on foreign. . Mr Gow: “Your general argument is that Empire countries that refuse free admission to our products should not have the same favourable treatment'' as Britain, which gives us free entry?” „ „ Mr Heath: “Yes.” Free Admission Sought. Mr H. Leighton Hill, representing Wliitehouse and Sons, Ltd.,, asked for the free admission of British slashers, billhooks and hedge-knives. He contended that the New Zealand slasher industry is small and uneconomic, lhe existing duties had increased the cost of slashers by Is. 6d to Is 9d-each, and the exchange rate by Is iOd to

2s. . - In reply to Professor Murphy, witness said that. British firms were in active competition with each other.