HEAVY AUSTRALIAN DUTIES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 11

HEAVY AUSTRALIAN DUTIES

RESTRICTIVE EFFECT ON IMPORTS LARGE SHIPMENTS TO BE SENT BACK Sydney, November 26. The Prime Minister has issued a warning to importers contemplating taking advantage of the tariff immediately, to increase prices. He is hopeful that manufacturers will realise that the purpose of protective duties is to extend and stabilise local industries. The Assistant-Minister of Customs predicts that many additional hands will be employed in the cotton industry as the result of the new tariff. Inquiries In Sydney show that the duties imposed on soft goods and hosiery have already had an enormous restrictive effect on the imports in progress. The tariff advances the duty on certain lines of textiles and foreign piece goods to 50 and 60 per cent., and on materials cut into shape to 75 per cent.

One big city importing firm has decided not to take delivery of large shipments actually afloat, but will return them to the country of manufacture rather than pay the increased duties. The firm is reticent, but it is believed that others are acting similarly.

LOCAL PRODUCTION OF HOSIERY BIG INCREASE. EXPECTED Melbourne, November 26. As the result of the duty on stockings, one local firm expects largely to increase the number of its employees and to Increase the production of hosiery from two million to eight million pairs a year. Mr. Fenton, Minister of Customs, advises British manufacturers to open branches in Australia.