N.Z. MANUFACTURERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 212, 21 August 1931, Page 11

N.Z. MANUFACTURERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE i PROTECTION OF LOCAL MARKET. SAFEGUARDS AGAINST DUMPING. WELLINGTON, Thursday. Matters of interest to manufacturers were referred to by Mr G. Finn, of Auckland, in his presidential address to the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation conference. He said: — “About one third of the population of the Dominion at the present time is entirely dependent for a living on manufacturing industries, which have a very important bearing on the general welfare of the Dominion. The past year has been one of the most difficult and most momentous in the history of the country. “I am hoping that, when the request for the setting up of a development of industries board is given effect to some of the handicaps we have laboured under in the past will disappear, and thal new industries for which the Dominion is languishing will be encouraged.

“New Zealand cannot be allowed to become a dumping ground for the surplus products of other countries when we have labour and the means of producing them ourselves. The orly sure and certain market for our primary products is our local market. This must be protected by ensuring to New Zealand the manufacture as far as possible of the goods it requires to satisfy its own needs. “This does not mean the total cessation of imports. On the contrary, the mere we progress and the more people we can employ, the greater becomes our need of machinery, raw material and other goods for which the older countries have established a partial monopoly, “The fostering of local industry does not only mean more employment, for our own people, which is badly needed, but means keeping the money in circulation in the country and the gradual building up of our financial resources.” THE APPRENTICESHIP ACT. The following remits were passed: “That the federation favours a review of the Apprenticeship Act with a view to removing restrictions and anomalies which interfere with, the employment of apprentices, and faciitating the employment of young people ” Mr J, J. Jeffery .(Dunedin) spoke of the propaganda being carried on to increase industry in the Dominion so that they could employ the youths of the country. Parents were suffering great anxiety at the present time, as during the last year practically no boys had been absorbed into industry, largely due to the restrictions imposed by the Act. Employers were loth to accept the responsibility of taking apprentices, especially in view of the liability upon them in the event of not being able to retain an apprentice for the full period. If the restrictions were eased more apprentices would be employed. Mr F. Campbell suggested that the matter was one for the employers. It was agreed to forward a copy of the remit to the New Zealand Employers’ Federation. FEDERATION OFFICERS. Mr. J. T. Spears (Wellington) Was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year. Mr. F. Campbell was elected vice-president, Mr. T. M. Edmonds, secretary, Mr, E. R. Pender, Treasurer and Mr. F. W. Vossler, auditor. The executive headquarters will be Wellington for the ensuing year. WOMEN’S GARMENTS. During the discussion of the proposal to amend the Customs Act it was stated that 75 per cent, of the women’s garments which came into New Zealand were dumped, bought at a jobbing price and sold at prices with which Kew.Zealand manufacturers could not possibly ccxnpete. The debate arose on a Wellington remit: ‘‘That the Government be requested so to amend the Customs Act that it be obligatory on the part of every exporter of apparel to indicate in each invoice the ordinary or original selling price of goods; further, that the Government be requested to impose a levy on the purchase price plus a dumping duty of two thirds of the difference between the price actually charged and the original price indicated ” Mr J Lewis said that, in regard to women's garments, 85 per cent of the spending power was spent on dumped goods, and New Zealand manufacturers could not produce garments to compete with them. Retailers had been making 200 to 300 per oent profit, and even at end of the season were able almost to give things away and still make a profit. Mr Lewis suggested that a price should be placed on each garment and a duty ad valorem in Australia. That system had been very effective. New Zealand manufacturers went to the trouble of getting new models, new machinery and designers, but received little encouragement. The only way wns to pnt a duty on each garment. The clothing industry employed about 8000 people in the Dorninion, but the total could be largely increased if action along the lines suggested was taken. Tt was decided to refer the remit back to the Wellington Association for revision. THE WADE AGREEMENT. A suggestion to ask the Government what was the position of the Wude agreement with Australia, with a view to its cancellation or revision was medc at the conference, It was urged that, in the interests of New Zealand and the United Kingdom manufacturers, the incidence of preference to Australian manufacturers as compared with United Kingdom manufacturers should be adjusted to the same comparative revision imperative basis as existed prior to the tariff revision operative from July 5*3. 1Q30.. It was pointed out that the exchange between New Zealand and Australia and New Zealand and lOi-.dmi had a good deal to do ndli th" motto,-. Mr. J. I> Ji.h'ciA I'h'.-olm) mgul

that the manufacturers of New Zealand had a right to enjoy protection laid down in the customs tariff. On the motion of Mr. Jeffery, seconded by Mr. F. L. Hutchyison (Christchurch), it was resolved that it would be m the hest interests of tlie Dominion were the Customs Department to impose on goods received from the Australian Commonwealth with the exception of those goods which are not produced in New Zealand dumping duty equal to the amount of exchange premium obtained- , , » 1 A sub-committeO is further to consider the matter and report to the executive alter the conference.