PROPOSED DUTY OF SHODDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 12661, 15 September 1904, Page 6

PROPOSED DUTY OF SHODDY.

At a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Liberal and Labour federation, held last night, the question of the proposed duty on " shoddy" was mentioned by Mr. George Raitiey, and on his motion referred to the council to report at next meeting. Speaking to the resolution, the president (Mr. P. J. Neviieny) said the federation had always agitated for local industries, and they must be very careful in a matter of this kind. They mush not lose sight of the fact that if they closed down all the local factories the difficulty would arise as to what to do with our wage-earners. The latter should even be prepared to pay a little more, so as to foster local industries, thus keeping avenues of employment open for themselves. A meeting of persons interested in the drapery, tailoring, and clothing trades is to be held to-day, for the purpose of considering the most effective steps to take to prevent the proposed increase of duty on " shoddy" goods. The convenors, in a circular, point out that the term " shoddy" will probably be extended to mean nearly all tweeds, coatings, costume cloths, and all woollen goods now imported, and if the increased duty is carried by Parliament it will largely add to the cost of all articles now made from these foods, with a consequent reduced purchasing power to consumers, and a reduction in the volume of trade. Further, it is claimed that a large number of workers in the trade will be thrown out of employment, and an additional tariff imposed on the class of goods mentioned would probably make their use prohibitive. For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. la 6d.