IMPORTED LEATHER.

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

IMPORTED LEATHER.

LOWER TARIFF SOUGHT.

COMPETITION AND PRICES,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

Individual representatives of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and Representatives' Association, in evidence before the . Tariff Commission to-day, contended that New Zealand tanners could not produce sole leather of bends ■weighing 121b and over in sufficient quantities to cope with the demand. At present, tho duty on British and Australian sole leather was 3d a lb for bonds weighing 141b net or over, while the foreign tariff is 5d a lb.: Witness asked that bends should be reduced to 121b, and that the duty should be fixed at 2d per lb for British and Australian leather, with tho foreign tariff unaltered. It was claimed that English leather was far superior to the product of local tanneries.

Comparison of Quality. Reductions were also sought in several other classes of leather. Where, there was raw material on hand, the local industry should bo encouraged, but at present local tanners were over-pro-tected* In chrome leathers, the New. Zealand product was hard to beat. Mr. A-. E. Mander, secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, asked Mr. G. E. Leighton, one of the United Kingdom representatives, whether lie would produce samples of English solo leather so that they could be matched with locally-made leather.

Mr. Leighton: Yes. Mr. G. A. Pascoe: Would you be prepared to accept tho findings of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the matter?

Mr. Leighton: Certainly. One New Zealand Firm.

•He said that only one firm was receiving protection in New Zealand, and it was producing in such small quantities that it was not worth protecting. In fact, it was regarded as a joke, but even so, the English manufacturers, whose product was far superior, had brought their prices down to compete with the local tannery.

Mr. Mander: Even this small industry has forced down tho price of competing imports? Mr. Leighton: Yes. English manufacturers have brought the price down to assist us and also to advertise general trade.

Professor Murphy: You eay that the local firm whom you described as a joke was responsible for lowering your prices. It is apparently not a joke— it seems to be a tragedy rather than a comedy. Mr. Leighton: Yes, they have brought the price down to assist us, even though they are losinpr all the time. Professor Murphy: Very decent of them.