TARIFF BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 247, 17 September 1929, Page 7

TARIFF BOARD

AUSTRALIAN INQUIRY, DOMINION PIG PRODUCTS. GREATEST PROTECTION SOUGHT. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, Sept. 16. Requesting a duty of 6d a pound on bacon and ham, Mr Patrick Grant, president of the Primary Producers’ Union, who gave evidence before the Tariff Board to-day, stated that this would keep out importations when supplies were available within the Commonwealth. . It would also encourage the production of a bettor class pig in Australia. Mr Grant added: “We receive New Zealand’s surplus products at a lower price than we receive from the consumer. Pig raising in New Zealand is more profitable than here because of the more favourable climate. This permits cheaper production. While frequently New Zealand bacon is put upon the Australian market either as New South Wales or Victoria, the average quality of New Zealand bacon is not up to ours.”

The witness pointed out that in pig products trade with the East was profitable and worth fostering, but it met competition from New Zealand. Mr James Harding, of Queensland, stated that New Zealand pork imports in Australia were increasing at an alarming rate. The duty on pork was only 10 per cent. Obviously, therefore, producers in New Zealand were taking full advantage to dump a portion of their supplies into the Commonwealth. On the contrary, the duty in New Zealand was douhie, thereby preserving their own market for themselves. The chairman of the board interjected: “You are asking the people of Australia to bear a heavy impost in order to. enable you to export your products.”

The hearing was adjourned. Mr W. R. Blow, New Zealand Government agent, is watching the proceedings on behalf of the Dominion Government.