FOREIGN FOOTWEAR.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20919, 28 July 1933, Page 12

FOREIGN FOOTWEAR.

BEQUEST FOR HIGHER DUTIES. (PEB33 ASSOCIATION TBL2OBAU.) WELLINGTON, July 27. A statement that a Japanese firm had communicated with an agent in Christchurch offering to copy any shoe sold in New Zealand provided samples were supplied was made by Mr H. C, Murray, representing British boot and shoe importers, before the Tariff Commission to-day. In view of this he asked permission to submit an amended list of higher specific duties, which he urged should be imposed in order to protect _ the British manufacturer from ruinous foreign competition. He claimed that the market was in danger of being lost if drastic action was not taken Dy way of a tariff. , , Mr Murray produced samples pi Japanese footwear now being sold in New Zealand, and said that the material and workmanship were of a high standard. It appeared that all the Japanese required were designs and lasts from which to copy. Professor Murphy: Your idea is for specific duties aimed solely at Japan. It is a difficult thing to recommend just in those terms. , said that, his proposal was directed at all foreign countries producing under low wage conditions. Dr. Craig: You cannot put that into a also heard an application by the United Kingdom White Lead Convention for a reouc- £ Sf the preferential duty on white lead ground in oil and white lead pamt ready mixed, and an application by the New Zealand Sports Goods ManufactS' Association for a reduction of the duty on sports goods from the United Kingdom.