When the various tariffs which were introduced in the Budget were under consideration we found ourselves up against applications for protection from various industries on which it was impossible to arrive at a decision in the time then available. All such applications were postponed and examined in detail later, when more time was available. It is as a result of that detailed examination of applications which offered elements of particular difficulty that these Resolutions are being submitted to the House. Most of the duties imposed are of minor importance in so far as the articles to which they relate are not articles consumed in very great quantities in the country. Some of them, however, can be considered of considerable importance, in so far as they are likely to afford considerably increased employment in the industries affected. In addition to the duties imposed in consequence of that detailed examination of the difficult applications to which I refer, it is also proposed under these Resolutions to effect some minor changes in the duties which were imposed in the Finance Act in consequence of our experience of the working of that Act during the intervening period.
It will, perhaps, be information for Deputies if I indicate the particular category under which the various duties arise. I presume they will desire to have an opportunity of examining them in greater detail and ascertaining information relating to the industries affected before discussing them at length. Any particular point of information desired will be supplied as far as it is possible to do so. The first Resolution contains the Schedule. The duties imposed by it are on coloured knitting yarns, 22½ per cent. with a Preference of 15 per cent. The second is upon any metal which is subject to another duty, and which is imported with an inscription engraved. It is subject to an additional 15 per cent. and 10 per cent., the purpose of the duty being to have increased engraving done in this country. The third relates to date stamps and marking stamps made wholly or partly of rubber or containing parts of such the duty being 50 per cent. with a preference rate of 10 per cent. Resolution 4 concerns springs for mattresses, cushions, settees, and light articles of furniture. The duty applies only to single springs. Assembled springs are already subject to duty. Number 5 deals with spectacles, monocles and other eye-glasses, the duty being 50 per cent. with a preference rate of 33? per cent. Number 6 refers to cuff-links, studs, hinge pins and ear-rings and component parts thereof made wholly or mainly of brass, bronze, or gun-metal, or a combination of any of those metals the duty being 30 per cent. with a preference rate of 20 per cent. Number 7 deals with certain specified articles of gold, silver and electro plate. Number 8 relates to glue and size, the duty being 50 per cent. with a preference of 33? per cent. with a licence clause. The necessity for the licence clause is on a certain type of size not produced here, and which it is necessary to allow to come in. It is not possible to get a definition of that particular size which will permit of its being distinguished from other classes of size which it is desired to make subject to duty. Number 9 relates to fillers and flats for egg boxes imported separately, the duty being 30 per cent. with a preference of 20 per cent. Number 10 deals with pipes made wholly or mainly of clay. Number 11 relates to picture frames wholly or mainly of wood, and pictures in frames made wholly or mainly of wood, excluding pictures which are imported temporarily for exhibition or which are imported for a public picture gallery. Picture frames were heretofore subject to duty as furniture. It is necessary to have this Resolution because certain difficulties arose out of pictures being imported as such, the frames being imported with the pictures and consequently evading duty as picture frames. Number 12 relates to coffin plates of metal.