N.Z. IMPORTS OF TEXTILES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28999, 14 September 1959, Page 16

N.Z. IMPORTS OF TEXTILES

“More Competition From Japan”

(N.Z Press Association-Copyright)

LONDON, September 11.

Japan would become a more serious competitor in the Australian and New Zealand markets as a result of new agreements between them and a revision of the agreement between Britain and the two Dominions. the “Guardian” reported today. The | newspaper was commenting on a report of a British Cotton Board mission which visited Australia and New Zealand recently. Japan now enjoyed in the two countries most-favoured-nation tariff .rates and, more important, was on an equal footing with other countries in competition for the available licences. “The bulk of the trade is therefore at the mercy of the Japanese suppliers, but they have tightened their grip on the market by some other devices,” the newspaper said. Invoices Prices “For example, arrangements have been introduced by which the Japanese exporter now commonly invoices at about the official check price at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, but later makes a refund by means of discount or rebate as an adjustment between the invoice price and the real, undisclosed price. “Again, it is alleged that importing and wholesaling firms are being purchased so that the import licence allocations held by these firms can be used exclusively for Japanese productions. “In the cotton goods the Japanese have already secured a great deal of the trade in prints and plain, non-iron shirting poplins. “Japanese screen prints on most attractive base cloths are available at prices far below what the British manufacturer can offer for a similar article,” the newspaper said.