TRADE AFFECTED BY IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 55, 29 November 1937, Page 3

TRADE AFFECTED BY IMPORTS

Request For Protection

MANUFACTURERS REPLY TO AUCKLAND CRITICISM

Recent criticism by members of the Auckland. Chamber of Commerce of the attitude of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation respecting large importations of overseas goods, and criticism of the request for higher protection against these imports, is answered in a statement which has been issued by the federation as follows :—

“It is somewhat surprising to note the loose statements reported to have been made by the individual members of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce—the more surprising since they are so ill-fitting with the general actions of that responsible body, whose reputation for reasoned attitudes was upheld by Mr. A. G. Lunn in the concluding stages of the discussion when he said: ‘They have got to face up to the fact that the Government has increased wages and decreased hours of work. I think that is where the trouble is. I don’t blame the manufacturers for asking for protection.’

“The allegations of Mr. Boucher and Mr. Jackson cannot, however, be allowed to pass without refutation. Mr. Jackson said many of the facts quoted by the manufacturers were fallacious —they forget to show that the improvement in local industry has advanced in leaps and bounds. On the other hand, Mr. Boucher said some of these industries may be a little bit inefficient. These two statements are somewhat difficult to reconcile. Mr. Jackson said, concerning manufacturers: ’Half of them don’t care two pence about unemployment. They put their hands off in the slump period, and would do it again to-morrow.’ “First, the importer has practically no hands to put on or off. He makes his profit without the least concern for the working men and women of New Zealand, who are thereby prevented from attaining that steady job which alone gives security in life. Forced Dismissals. “The president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation some time ago, in a message to manufacturers, specifically asked members to do what they could to avoid dismissals of Staff. On Friday a manufacturer han’ded us a list of names, ages, and records of 28 young men whom he had been forced to dismiss through lack of orders. He expressed to us his deep concern at this necessity, pointing out that these young men had just become settled in what might he ma'Je a congenial and secure life work. He said that if the excessive importations continued, he must dismiss another 50 men. The relations between the average manufacturer and his workers are personal and close. In many cases the employer has worked on the bench longside his employees. “Mr Boucher resurrects the argument that exchange is a protection. As far back as 1934, the Tariff Commission drew attention to the fact that, within a very short time of raising the exchange, the protection in this regard would disappear. This view is accepted by every person who has given unbiased consideration to the question. Unfair Competition. “We are forced to turn again to the unfair competition to which the New Zealand manufacturer is subjected by imports. Overseas longer hours of work and lower wages are the general rule. Reference has been made to the fact that the ‘Economist’ (London) on June 26 reported that a departmental committee this year said that it had found that 5634 boys in London under the age of 16 years were found to be working 72 hours a week aud over. This same article pointed out that the new Factories Bill in England did not cover the employment of women and children. The article suggested that one of the first essentials required to improve working conditions in England was a minimum wage. “In a recent English newspaper appeared a full-column reference to the fact that 90 young operatives in a factory which has a large export trade to New Zealand were on striEe, striving for trade union recognition and for conditions equal to those in similar British factories. Manufacturers’ Concern. “Manufacturers throughout New Zealand to-day are most anxious that their workers should remain in steady employment, secure in the knowledge that their sons and daughters will, on leaving school, find similar secure work in life. To-day it would be possible for a few importers to bring in sufficient shoes to New Zealand to place on sustenance the greater part of 3000 workers in the footwear manufacturing industry of New Zealand. “We feel that it is only the knowledge that the Government realises the position and intends to take the necessary steps which provokes such attacks from importers. Most people will agree with Mr. Lunn in his statement that the manufacturers are merely asking for protection on account of greater costs brought about through increased wages and decreased hours of work.” ■