TARIFF MYSTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 226, 23 September 1932, Page 5

TARIFF MYSTERY.

WCOLLEN TRADE CONCERNED«ALL IN THE AIR." REDUCTION IN DUTY 'DISASTROUS.' Representatives of woollen mills and clothing manufacturers are greatly concerned at what some of them term "the mystery surrounding the tariff." The Auckland representative of a Southern woollen mill stated* this morning that it was the duty of the Government to let the manufacturers know exactly what had been agreed to with the British Government. "Before the Ottawa Conference," he said, "wo were told that something was going to happen, ■ and we were all in the air because we did not know what the. decisions were to be; and buying descended to what is known as liand to mouth. . The conference is over, New Zealand representatives are -back, and still we are in the dark, and the 'hand to mouth' buying continues. "There must be no interference with the tariff as far as woollen goods are concerned," he said. "Capital to the extent of severa'l millions is invested in the woollen mills, and if the duty is taken off so as to allow the British manufacturer to get a preference on account of the Old Country purchasing our primary products, then it will be good-bye to New Zealand's woollen industry, and thousands of men and women will be thrown out t of employment, as the mills would have to close down. In addition, the % country will bo flooded with shoddy."

Cheap Imports

Another mill representative stated that even with the high duties now ruling against British woollen goods entering New Zealand, a tremendous amount of cheap clothing was coming in, which local manufacturers could not compete with. "It is the worst of shoddy," he eaid, "and ehould be prohibited." If the Government did not prohibit the importation of that clas3 of material the duty should be raised to such an extent that it would be unprofitable for anybody to import it. Trousers were being manufactured in England and purchased at 2/6 a pair, and suits at 13/ to 14/. At such prices the imports into New Zealand represented thousands of pounds per annum.

"Mr. Coates went to Ottawa representing the primary industries," he said, "but he must not forget that there are others to be considered. A good local market is a decided help to primary industry." Praise for New Zealand. Mr. H. Robinson, clothing manufacturer, said that if the Government took away the present duty on maiie-up goods the market would be flooded with cheap clothing from the Old Country, and thousands of workers in the clothing trade, both male and female, would be thrown on the unemployment market. "Labour is cheaper in England," he said, "and the conditions of work do not compare favourably with New Zealand. The Dominion is turning out tweed.-s to-day that are equal to English, and the' Government must be careful not to do anything to embarrass the woollen industry. Anything we cannot produce economically should come in at the lowest possible duty, but there must be no interference with an induetry that is firmly established and which is turning

out better quality goods every vear. Any reduction in the present duty would have a disastrous effect on tho mills.

"What we all want is a pronouncement by the Government in respect to the future. We don't know' where we are at the moment, and it is not fair to the trade. I would like to say, in conclusion, that people are not aware of the good materials that the New -Zealand mills are turning out. I saw a range from a New Zealand mill a few days ago that would have done credit to any. British manufacturer."

Mr. S. Takle, president of the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, said that from information that had come to him from various sources he did not think there would be much interference with the tariff. The surtax on dutiable manufactured goods of nine-fortieths would be abolished, also the 3 per cent primage duty on raw material at the earliest moment. Referring to the woollen industry, Mr. Takle said the tendency of the Government had been to be liberal with industries that used local raw materials.