WOOLLEN GOODS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 206, 29 August 1904, Page 4

WOOLLEN GOODS.

THE IMPORTATION OF SHODDY. COLONIAL COMPLAINTS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. With reference to the importation, of shoddy goods, which is being made the subject of inquiry by the Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr P. Hercus, manager of the Kaiapoi Woollen Mills, who has returned to Christohurch from Wellington, where he has given evidence before the committee, states that there has been a very large importation of shoddy into New Zealand this season. Ladies' jackets and jacket cloths of very low quality have come into the market in large quantities, and these importations have considerably interfered with the manufacture of local goods in that department, as the local article is made entirely of pure wool cloths. This-eea-son the market has been simply flooded with imported jackets. A slump has resulted, and the operations of the Kaiapoi Company in that direction have not been successful. A large quantity of juvenile clothing of a low quality has also been imported into the colony. It is impossible t-o compete against that article with pure wool New Zealand clothing. Low quality black and blue vicunas are also imported, and a great deal of low shoddy tweeds, from which clothing is being manufactured in the colony. All the colonial dress tweeds have been practically wiped out by the competition of the shoddy dress tweeds, •which have all the appearance of colonial tweeds, but are sold at half the price of the latter. The Kaiapoi Company has tried very hard to establish a trade in art serges, a deal of which is used throughout the colony for furniture covering and hangings. The company, however, has failed signally in getting its goods ii-to consumption, because of the vast quantities of low shoddy art serges imported into the colony at, in some instances, from a quarter to a half the prices charged by the local company. Although there is all the difference in quality, the company finds it impossible to get the price it requires for its goods. The shoddy came from England and Germany, chiefly Germany, which makes most of the shoddy ladies , jackets. They are made in Germany, sold in England, and sent out to New Zealand by wholesale dealers and others. Mr Herctis urged strongly upon tihe committee that the shoddy goods should be branded with the name "shoddy," and the name of the country in which they are made. The public, he says, should know that it is buying goods that are not of the best quality. The shoddy goods should also bear a considerably higher tariff. On pure wool goods such Its are manufactured locally no further duties are asked for. The cost of production in New Zealand is being largely increased, while the tariff remains unaltered. Besides the articles mentioned there are also importations of common rugs and blankets which enter into competition with the better articles made locally.