DUTY ON GLOVES

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 6

DUTY ON GLOVES

Mr. Crimp, secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers" Association, is labouring under a misapprehension when he states that the recent tariff increase 011 gloves discriminated in favour of the Xew Zealand workmen against the Belgian -workmen. Mr. Crimp overlooks the fact that tlie wives of Xew Zealand workmen have to wear gloves, and the wherewithal to purchase them must come from the workers thejnselves. The onlv gloves made in Xew Zealand are gardening gloves and leather gauntlets, both of which are seldom used by workers or their wives. However, fine skin gloves are worn by every woman, but are not. and never will be, manu- ! factured in Xew Zealand. Most of our imports of these gloves come from Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy and France, and it is against these countries that the Government lias imposed the additional 20 per cent duty. According, then, to Mr. CYimp's statement, the Government has protected a local industry which does not, and never will, exist. Mr. Crimp's reference to the purchasing power of the countries affected is simply a polite way of dragging the wool over our eyes. Xaturally, these countries would have purchasing power if Xew Zealand did not exist—we would not be so foolish as to suggest otherwise—but seeing Xew Zealand does exist and does sell her wool to these countries, should we not be in a position to purchase their products without the penalty of unfair and unwarranted tariff restrictions? One tiling' is certain—the consumer must pav. REG. M. BAKEE. Secretary, Bureau of Importers (Inc.)