WATCHES AND CLOCKS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 38, 13 August 1930, Page 12

WATCHES AND CLOCKS

PROTEST AGAINST TARIFF

The views of members of the New Zealand Watchmakers' and Jewellers 3 Association on the matter oil extra duties on watches and clocks were made clear in a statement by the president of the association, Mr. H. S. Hislop, made to "The Post" to-day.

Watches, previous to the Government measure, were imported into New Zealand and landed with duty and charges at 31 per cent., said Mr. Hislop. Under the tariff proposed in the first place the cost of landing watches increased to 67;J per cent. The Government had since, as the result of. a protest from the wholo of tho jewellers in the Dominion, reduced the duty so • that the landing charges amounted to 54 per cent., being an increase of 23 per cent. The Prime Minister informed the deputation that the main reason for such an increase was for tho purpose of increasing revenue and at the same time encouraging trade within the Empire.

"Regarding the latter," said Mr. Hislop, "we would point out that there being only one firm manufacturing watches, the watch manufacturing industry in Great Britain is incapable of supplying the markets with the goods required. The total imports of British watches for the year 1929 was £2343, while Swiss and other watches imported amounted to £105,645, showing that Britain could only supply 2 per cent, of the total. "These extra duties," continued Mr. Hislop, "will be a very serious blow for the small jewellery traders throughout New Zealand, as they are not in the position to carry large stocks and so are immediately penalised. As far as encouraging British trade is concerned, the fact-remains that Britain, Canada, and the United States, and practically the whole world, aro dependent upon Switzerland for their supplies. As regards the Prime Ministor 's idea of getting more revenue from watches imported, the sale of good watches will be greatly decreased, and' the result will be that a cheaper grade of foreign watch will be imported. The jewellers contend that watches and clocks are a vital necessity and should not be classed as a luxury. They also recoguiso that more rovonuo is needed, and aro quite propared to do their share, but to be singled out for such an abnormal increase as proposed will be ruination for many of the smaller firm's." In conclusion, Mr. Hislop said that the ordinary household clocks sold in New Zealand were practically all of foreign make. Tho duty on these was formerly 45 per cent. Now they were subjected to a further increase, which meant that by the time they were landed in New Zealand they cost about 72 per cent, to land.