BOOT TRADE SATISFIED

Evening Star, Issue 22895, 1 March 1938, Page 8

BOOT TRADE SATISFIED

APPROVAL OF TARIFF EXPRESSED PUBLIC SHOULD BENEFIT Wholehearted approval of the new Customs tariffs on boots and shoes, as outlined by the Minister of Customs (Hon. W. Nash) was expressed by members of the local footwear trade this morning. The rate of duty is now particularly high on cheaper quality goods, and it was contended that this would have the effect of keeping such goods out of the country. On dearer imported shoes the amount payable in extra duty would not be so great, yet it would be sufficient to make an appreciable difference to the trade. There has always been a section of the community preferring English shoes, and no matetr how high a tariff was imposed that section would still seek the English article. Apart from this minor consideration the tariff would have the long desired result of permitting the New Zealand-made shoo to be sold at a reasonable price which would be safe from overseas competition. The tariff must mean an increase in trading within the Dominion. “ The imposition of this tariff,” stated one manufacturer, “ will mean more employment for New Zealand, probably a slight reduction in the selling price of Dominion-made shoes and boots, and, what is really more important than the latter point, it should mean an improvement in quality.” Under the conditions pertaining the last few months, the ‘ Star ’ was told, quality had slipped a little, and the industry generally had been getting into rather a precarious position. The tariff had long been sought, and now that it had come it was up to manufacturers to make the most of the benefits it offered, and wherever possible pass these on to the public, and this, it was confidently held, would he done.

MR LYONS'S COMMENT

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

CANBERRA, March 1,

(Received March 1, at 11 a.m.)

Mr Lyons, in announcing the New Zealand tariff, said that while it was regretted that the higher duties would mean some curtailment of the growing export trade in manufactured products, the Commonwealth Government could not question the measures within the ambit of the agreement which the New Zealand Government considered necessary for the protection and encouragement of New Zealand industries.

THE FARMER PAYS [Per United Frees Association.] WELLINGTON, March 1. Interviewed on the tariff increases, Mr A. P. O’Shea, Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, said they meant a further increase_ in the already too heavy costs which primary industry had to hear, and that they really amounted to a further cut in the amount of the guaranteed price. “ Evidently, the farming industries are being asked to pay for the 40-hour week.” The increases must_ mean a general rise in the cost of living. The duty on wearing apparel had been increased 100 per cent., and the effect of these increases would he that the trade unions would immediately set up a cry for increased wages because of increased prices, and the old circle of higher prices and higher wages would go on until there came the crash.”

ENGLISH FOOTWEAR EFFECT OF 11C (EASES DUTIES [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March I. Surprise at the imposition of increased duties on English footwear was expressed by Mr M. H. Russel, secretary of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association, when interviewed today. He said the association had perused a case sent out by the British Boot and Shoe Manufacturers’ Association, and it appeared they effectively answered any application for an increase in duty on their products, if only because the English costs had risen more or less pro rata with the higher New Zealand costs.

“We have not yet been able to go into the question what difference the increased duties will make in the price, but we are sure the public will realise that the ultimate effect will be an increase in the retail price. We appreciate that the Government has apparently given - full consideration to the representations of the United Kingdom manufacturers, and we are relieved to find that only one line of imports from the United Kingdom is so far affected.”