N.Z. INDUSTRY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 June 1933, Page 5

N.Z. INDUSTRY.

STRONG CLAIM TO PROTECTION HOSIERY PRODUCED ON ECONOMIC BASIS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. (A joint case on behalf of the silk and “art” silk hosiery industry was presented to the 'Tariff Commission today. ' They ask for the maintenance of the present duty of 2(1 \ per cent, on imports from the United Kingdom, 40 per cent, on imports from other parts of the Empire, and 55 per cent, on foreign goods. Dr. 'Craig,. Controller of Customs, said that Empire hosiery was subject to a duty of 27-£ with the exception of Canadian, which was subject to 32J per cent. The foreign duty was 50 per cent, plus surtax. Mr A. E. Mander, for the manufacturers, said that the industry was especially suitable to Dominion production. The list was not long, and all the advantages of mass-production methods were therefore to be obtained in any well organised factory of moderate size. The material used was partly of Dominion origin and partly imported, but there was no economic reason for importing the finished goods, since they could be produced efficiently and economically by New Zealand factories, provided that sufficient protection were granted to compensate for the difference between United Kingdom and New Zealand general values and costs and to secure for the New Zealand industry a sufficient share of the market to enable it to continue producing on an economic basis. During the past few years, the prices of New Zealand hosiery had been repeatedly and heavily reduced, and it was now being sold at a price definitely lower than import parity. The industry (Mr Mander added) employed 714 workers, and last, year .paid £86,000 in wages. The estimated Capital involved was £200,169. f It was asked that special consideration b» given to the rapid increase of imports from Japan. It was stated that serious difficulty arose in connection with jobbing in Great Britain- of end-of-season and out-of-fashion lines at the end of each summer and winter season.