TARIFF CHANGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 79, 2 March 1938, Page 2

TARIFF CHANGES.

FOOTWEAR TRADE PLEASED. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 1. Whole-hearted approval of the new Customs tariff for footwear was expressed by the local trade to-day. The rate was particularly high on goods of cheaper quality, and it .was contended that this would keep such goods out. One manufacturer stated that it would mean more employment for New Zealanders, a probable slight, reduction in the price of Dominion made footwear, and an improvement in the quality. Under the conditions latterly obtaining the quality had slipped a little, and the industry generally had got into a rather precarious situation. ENGLISH FOOTWEAR. INCREASE CAUSES SURPRISE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 1. Surprise at the imposition of increased duties on English footwear was expressed by Mr M. H. Russell (secretary of the United Kingdom Manufacturers’ and New Zealand Representatives’ Association) when interviewed to-day. He said the association had perused the case sent out by the British Boot Shoe Manufacturers’ Association and it appeared that they had effectively answered any application for an increase in the duty on their products if only because English costs hart 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 w'ill make in the price, but we are sure the public will realise 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 United Kingdom manufacturers and we are relieved to find only one line of imports from the United Kingdom so far is affected.’’