is Rejected
p. 35 · Read in the full issue
Soap “Dumping” In
Tahiti
Plan to Limit Importations is Rejected
From Our Own Correspondent
Papeete, Oct. 5,
A T a recent meeting of the Papeete Chamber of Commerce, a lively dis cussion took place upon the proposition of local soap manufacturers, of which there are several of French and Chinese nation ality, to limit the importations of New Zealand and Australian laundry soap to 25 tons per annum. It was pointed out that the protective tax of 75 francs per kilo imposed on foreign soaps in June, 1934, had failed to diminish importations to any appreciable extent, and a greater measure of protection was needed against the “dumping” of foreign manufactured soaps on the Tahiti market, which was bringing about the ruin of the local in dustry.
Official statistics for the first six months of 1935 indicate that importations of foreign laundry soaps were between 150 and 200 tons. The total consumption of the Colony is estimated by the Chamber of Commerce at 250 tons per annum.
Other members of the Chamber spoke strongly against any measure which would increase the cost of living, and it was stated that good soap from Marseilles was actually being landed in Tahiti at a cost very near to that of the New Zealand soap: the protection already existing was therefore considered to be sufficient. One member proposed that instead of limiting the importation of soap to 25 tons per an num, New Zealand should purchase from Tahiti an amount of fruit and other pro ducts equal in value to the goods im ported from that counry—French fruit being at present subject to a heavy duty in New Zealand.
In the end, the proposition of the local soap manufacturers was rejected by the unanimous vote of the Chamber, it being considered that an additional import tax on foreign soap, or the limitation of im portations from abroad, would not be justified at the present time.
A surtax of 20 francs per 100 kilos on gasolene was later agreed to by a majority of the Chamber, it having been stated by His Excellency the Governor that the re venue derived from the tax would be used exclusively for the maintenance of roads.