MORE PROTECTION?

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 136, 5 March 1929, Page 13

MORE PROTECTION?

Sir, —Clothing made by more progressive and up-to-date manufacturers in England has always been imported into New Zealand, despite the high protection our small local makers enjoy. It is very misleading to say that 25 per cent, plus 10 per cent, only amounts to 5 per cent., as certain materials pay 20 per ceqi. The bulk of New Zealand clothing is made from local woollens, bearing no duty, and most of the other raw materials are on the free list. ■ If manufacturers allow their methods and machinery to get adtiquated. they must not camouflage their shortcomings by raising the cry of “sweated labour, and hard-working New Zealand farmers ought not to be further taxed to, find profits for unprogressive makers, and big wages for inexsfirt, slow workers, who so strenuously resist piecework or payment by results. —I am, etc., A TAXPATER. Wellington, March 1. STAND BY! Sir, —Yesterday morning as a I made my weary way from my little seaside cottage to my business, I wondered if the meaning of the above words had been understood by our city authorities. I anxiously awaited an explanation as to why Evans Bay station, three hours after the breakdown of the line from Mangahao, was still unable to take up the task of supplying power to the city. One must sympathise with the authorities, for it is obvious that a number, of circumstances contributed to their being badly let down. It is, however, a matter of comment that the fault in the mechanical stoker was not found until after a fault had developed and the need for steam arose. I have always imagined that “standing by” implied being ready to render service at once when called upon. i . It is a serious point that a fine station such as Evans Bay undoubtedly is should fail in an emergency, and industrial Wellington cannot but feel uneasy when it considers that at any time it may / be with power for hours during the worktag day.—-I am, etc., ANGUS MACPHERSON. Wellington, March 2.