FOOTWEAR IMPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 23100, 28 October 1938, Page 2

FOOTWEAR IMPORTS

A CONSIDERABLE DROP EFFECT OF TARIFF RATES The new tariff rates which came into force about six months ago, combined with the reduced buying of retailors while working off the heavy stocks accumulated during the previous spring and summer, have resulted in a sharp drop iu the importation of footwear into New Zealand during the last few months. Footwear imports up to the end of April were higher this year than in the corresponding period of 1937, but since that date a marked change has become apparent, and the latest figures show that the total value of the imports for the eight months ended August was £404,540, compared with £405,115 for the previous January to August period. It was .stated iu the Auckland ‘ Star ’ that probably the largest drop had been in the cheaper lines, duo to the fact that the duty of 3s a pair imposed on shoos or sandals under 10s in value was almost prohibitive. This contrasts strongly with the position before the tariff was applied, when about 75 per cent, of tbo sandals stocked in the Dominion were made in England. Today the position as explained by one prominent Auckland retailer was that from 75 per cent, to 90 per cent, were locally made. One Dunedin retailer who was questioned about the matter said that he was still doing a considerable amount of importing in connection with these lines, but this was for 20 branches. Another retailer stated that not oncthird of shoes of this type that were available last year are obtainable this year.

A third business man closely connected with the footwear trade remarked that the imports of this class of shoe had dropped off mainly because of the tariff of 3s a pair or 25 per cent., whichever was the greater. With the addition of freight and landing costs, the price was almost doubled, and any further increase in price to provide a profit for the retailer would make them a prohibitive cost. The speaker said that some shoes which had been in good demand for years would not now bo stocked for these reasons. New Zealand manufacturers were making an attempt to fill the -gap caused by the reduction of imports of the cheaper lines of footwear, but up to the present the samples of ladies’ evening shoes that had been seen wore very poor affairs with which to meet the competition from England. “ There are some firms in New Zealand,” said the speaker, “ who are right up to the hilt and turning work away on account of the volume of business. In some cases I can obtain quicker delivery from Australian factories than 1 can from New Zealand. In September 1 was informed that one New Zealand factory could not execute another order this year.”