DRAPERS' CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 8 February 1927, Page 10

DRAPERS' CONFERENCE

THE TARIFF QUESTION. At 10 a.m. to-morrow Cr. A. MeKellar, on behalf of tho Mayor (.Mr J. K. Archer), will officially open the annual conference of the New Zealand Drapers' and Clothiers' Federation It is expected that the proceedings will extend over three days. Tho oonfercnto will bo asked to set up a committee consisting of one representative of each industrial district together with the president and members of the Advisorv Board,to consider and report to the eonferenece "(1) As to whether the retailers should initiate proceedings for a new Dominion Retail Shop Assistants" Award; (2) as to the proposals to be made by the retailers for incorporation in a new award." One of tho proposals regarding the tariff which will bo discussed is tlftit tho conference point out to the Gorcrnment "tho futility of imposing heavy protective duties on imports, and thit the tariff revision be confined to the straightening out of anomalies at present existing with as little interference sis possible with tho tariff now obtaining." Another proposal will bo "that this Association considers thatj in view ot tho present Tariff Commission, the time is opportune to draw attention to the support given to the secondary industries by tire Customs duties, and considers that, rather than an increase, tho conference should support a reduction in tariffs. The support of many industries by 'Customs duties' is at tho expense of a majority of the public." Other matters which will como up for discussion are tho Federation's policy regarding goods on approbation, discounts, interest on overdue accounts, alien trading, direct supply to large purchasers by woollen manufacturers, staff training, and shipping charges.