JAPANESE GOODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 155, 5 July 1933, Page 12

JAPANESE GOODS.

INTENSE COMPETITION.

SPECIFIC DUTIES SOUGHT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday,

The request was made to the Tariff Commission to-day, on behalf of British manufacturers of chinaware, earthenware or porcelainware, that the British duty of 20 per cent be abolished and specific rates be imposed on foreign countries.

Witnesses said there was strong competition at present from Japan, where cheap labour was used. The Japanese were ruthlessly copying English shapes and patterns and in some cases a trade mark was imitated. Three Japanese cups and saucers could be imported for the price of one set of British manufacture, and tlie British wore steadily losing trade.

One witness showed exhibits of comparative lines of English and Japanese crockery, showing the huge disparity in landed prices. •■ Professor Murphy: How does the quality compare? Witness: Very fairly. Professor Murphy: That is tho trouble. The quality is improving. Mr. G. A. Pascoe: Do you know the hours of working in Japan?

Witness: From my personal knowledge I would say at least 12 hours daily for six days a week.

Witness added that from inquiries, he learned that the wages of the Japanese workers were 2/ a d&y for males and ild a day for females.

A reduction from 20 per cent ad valorem to 10 per cent was sought on cotton and linen handkerchiefs, but the alteration was desired in the foreign duty of 45 per cent and in the Australian duty of 20 per cent. It was stated that Japanese handkerchiefs were coming on.to the market at prices as low as 9/ a gross, or |d each landed for printed handkerchiefs, and 12/ a gross, or Id each, for coloured woven handkerchiefs. When it was realised that the goods were costing from 90 to 95 per cent to land, it was difficult to believe that any moderate ad valorem duty would be adequate for this competition, as it was due to low wages and. ths depreciation of the yen. Tt was-siig-igested that a duty of 2/6 per dozen be