CLOTHING FROM FAR EAST

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 6

CLOTHING FROM FAR EAST

Effect On Industry In New Zealand SOME WORKERS LAID OFF > The increase in imports to New Zea- ‘ land of certain lines of clothing has > already caused some New Zealand ■ manufacturers to lay off workers, and iff the rate of imports is not halted still • more workers will be affected. This statement was made yesterday by Mr ’ C. H. Stockbridge, chairman of the $ clothing group of the Canterbury Tex- ’ tile and Garment Manufacturers’ Asso- • elation. Mr Stockbridge was asked to com>>iment on a Press Association report ' published on Wednesday which said ’ that imports from Hong Kong and other Far East countries were claimed [ by manufacturers to have “practically ? swamped” the infants’ wear trade in I the Dominion. . , Imports from Hong Kong in this t (Category are subject to the British J preference tariff of 25 per cent., but, according to Mr Stockbridge, the > landed cost of the Hong Kong childl ren’s wear is still below the cost to ; the New Zealand manufacturer of the j material for the garments. I' “These imports have affected employs ment in the industry in the North 1 Island—l know of one Auckland manufacturer who is employing 100 J’jtewer than he was a year ago—and J the effect will spread unless the im- ' ports are reduced,” he said. Not a great I deal of children’s wear was manu- • factored in the South Island, he added. t Token imports of clothing in other : categories were allowed at present, J and the New Zealand Federation of ; Garment Manufacturers was concerned F to see that they remained at this level, , Mr Stockbridge said.