THE LAST LAUGH

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 11

THE LAST LAUGH

CHEAP GOODS IMPORTS MAY BE SHOCKS AHEAD A note of warning to those contemplating the importation of large quantities of goods from overseas' countries, where in many cases lower costs of production obtain, in competition with New Zealand manufacturers, was sounded by Mr. J. Roberts, secretary to the New Zealand Clothing Trades' Federation, in the conciliation council in Christenurch yesterday, during the hearing of its dispute in the application for a Dominion award in the dressmaking and millinery trades. Mr; .A. W. Nisbet, Wellington, who appeared at the hearing as advocate for the employers in the Wellington industrial district, had pointed out that the ability of the employers to meet the workers' demands for higher wages is very definitely governed by their ability to hold the New Zealand market, or a reasonable section of: it, in face of overseas competition. Actually, said Mr. Nisbet, some manufacturers had already reduced their factory hands, or were contemplating doing so as soon as large indents which they had placed overseas came to hand. "Those sending big orders overseas," replied Mr. Roberts, "should be very careful. They are likely to get a big shock before long. We know that the Government is not going to tolerate that kind of thing and these people you refer to who are placing big orders overseas may wake up to find a good stiff duty whacked on while the goods are on the water. We know that some firms, at the moment, believe they are being very smart by buying cheap goods from overseas—goods that should be made in New Zealand—but we are* quite confident that the last laugh in this matter will be with the Government." .-''-('