THE "SHODDY" TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12662, 16 September 1904, Page 6

THE " SHODDY" TRADE.

PROPOSED INCREASE OF DUTY. OPPOSITION IN AUCKLAND. A meeting of those interested in the drapery, clothing and tailoring trades was held at the Chamber of Commerce rooms, yesterday morning for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to counteract the movement for an increase of the present duty on " shoddy" goods. There wore about 45 persons present, amongst thorn being the following:—Messrs. Arch. Clark, Walker (Arch. Clark and Sons, Limited), Caldwell (Maeky, Logan, Steen and Co.), Jno. Court, J. Morran, S. Milne (Milne and Choyce), J. S. Diokscn (G. 'Fowlds), Gavey, J. Hodgson, H. Thompson, Fordham (Devonport), Einlayson (Sargood, Son and Ewen), 1. M. King, Erickson, S. C. Macky, Bradstreet. G. Court, sen., Douglas (Onehunga), H. Seabrook, J. R. Self, Gray (D.S.C.), P. Leonard, Shalders (MoMaster and Shalders), Meldrum, Jaggs', Gribble, W. H. Smith (Smith and Caughey), Browne (E. C. Browne and Co.), and a large number of others. Mr. Caldwell was voted to the chair. The Chairman stated that at first he had treated the matter very lightly, but on hearing an explanation given by Mr. Geo. Fowlds, M.H.R., of what was being attempted he saw that the matter had a serious side, as there was a danger, if evidence was not given before the Parliamentary Committee (to rebut that already given on behalf of the New Zcs.land woollen millowners), of a heavier duty being placed upon all goods which it wis pleased to term "shoddy." This course would not only suit the protectionists, but it would also play into the hands of the Government, who would seize the opportunity of thus increasing the annual surpluses. Mr. Fowids had advised them to take immediate action, as even if no legislation on the subjeot were attempted this session the Parliamentary Committee (if rebutting evidence was not placed before it) would , probably bring down a report favouring an increase of duty. There would then be a likelihood of the duty being increased next session. Mr. J. Court moved the first resolution, as follows:"That in the opinion of this meeting tho present duties are (sufficiently high for ' all practical purposes, and that any further increase must press heavily upon the class of people least able to bear it." The first question to be settled in connection with this matter, he said, was: "What are 'shoddy* goods?" (Hear, hear.) So far as he knew, "shoddy" goods, properly so-called, inoluded old clothes and woollen goods which had been teased up and used a second time in the manufacture of various goods. He believed that not'more than 5 per cent, of the goods imported into Auckland came under this description. (Hear, hear.) The percentage was larger, he believed, in the South. lie believed it was proposed to include all goods which, were not all wool, including Yorkshire tweeds, suitings, dress goods, union shirtings, jacket cloths, and all goods containing cotton. None of these, he said, were really shoddy, and they wore better than lowgrade all-wool goods. He referred to the great extent to, which these imported goods were used by people who could not afford the higher-priced colonial goods, and. he said the imposition of a higher duty would be tantamount to fining them for buing poor just to enable the New Zealand mills to pay better dividends. As to " preference,"" he said it seemed to be overlooked that 70 per cent, of the goods concerned came from Great Britain at present. Mr. Gavoy seconded - : the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. A. Clark proposed, "That the suggestion that certain goods should be stamped or branded 'shoddy' is quite unnecessary, as the public are quite well aware of the quality of the goods they purchase, and no evidence of false representations on the part of shopkeepers or their salesmen can be produced." "The term "shoddy," he said, was generally used as one of opprobrium,' and he asked why should « larga class of goods, and those who dealt in them, as well as those who wore them, have a slur cast upon them by making it necessary to brand the article as "shoddy?" A large number of people, he said, could not afford to buy the highest class of manufactured goods. Then if the duty were imposed there would be a great difficulty when* they went to pass their entries in having what was and what • was . "shoddy" defined. It would probably mean the appointment of experts, and if these experts were appointed from the nominees of the woollen companies, as might happen, what would be the position of the importers and fihopkeepws ?_ Mr. Jacques seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously. , , . " Mr. Finlayson moved, " That this meeting emphatically asserts that there is no necessity for Parliamentary action on this question, there having been no demand for any alteration by the general public or the people of the colony, and especially by the workars, who are more concerned in its issues than any other section of the community." He protested against the desire of those who already hold', as they did, » very large share of the piece goods, dotting and kindred trades of ■ the colony, ■to get, through, the Government, even . a larger hold and thus heap an additional burden upon the class least able to afford it. These people, not content with invoking fthe aid of , the Government, . sneeringly alluded ,to certain classes of goods whioh wen» quite as good as anything th« 3» people produeedl. No one would deny that a small portion of the goods now imported might deserve the very vague and debatable name of " shoddy," but such goods were only imported because of the fact that notwithstanding the vaunted prosperity of the colony there were* thousands of people Who could not afford to array ■ themselves in purple and fine linen, or even in all-wool New Zealand tweeds. Mr. W. H. Smith seconded the proposal, which was carried. Mr. F. M. King moved, " That this meeting is of the opinion that if the duty on imported woollens and woollen mixtures is increased the number of workers employed in making up these goods would be greatly decreased, and that the number now employed manufacturing woollens would not be materially increased." He said that their* were in. the House at present two factions in favour of the proposed increased duty, •viz., the trades unionists (who would put a tax on everything), and the faxmeire, who thought that if the duty were raised they might get a little, more for their wool. The duty at present was 22 per cent, as against only 15 per cent, in Australia. If they stopped importing from England it would mean a corresponding decrease of exports, and thus a large number of people would be thrown out of employment. it should also be borne in mind that whilst the New Zealand woollen mills employed a total of only 1682 workers,. the clothing and tailoring trt.des employed no less than 5966 hands, of whom probably one-quarter would be thrown out of work, without effecting a corresponding increase ;in the number employed in the woollen mills. Mr. Bradstreet seconded. He said he could not understand why the trades unionists and farmers should clamour for an increase of duty, as if it were imposed these wore the people who would be the sufferers. Mr. Gray said the protectionists were evidently "out for blood," and it ?;ould bo advisable for the meeting to appoint a committee to watch its interests. Not only was an increase of duty inadvisable, but there were good reasons why a portion of the present duty should be removed. Mr. . Clark thought a deputation might be sent to Wellington to give evidence before the committee. A committee, consisting of Messrs. A. Clark. J. Court, J. Hodgson, F. M. King and Caldwell, with power to add to_ its number, was appointed, and if was deoid»d to leave the question of sending a deputation to Wellington in the hands of this committed. ;".'.'. TELEGRAM FROM MR, WITHIiFORD. Mr. Witheford, M.H.R., telegraphed as follows to the chairman of the above meeting : — "Be Extension of Commerce Parliamentary Committee, and wollen manufacturers: T shall be vary p]oas««d to arrange with Mr. T. Mackenzie, chairman of our committee, if you desire to have clothiers' representatives' evidence taken, as the fullest information is desirable. Evidence was taken yesterday on the tobacco trade, both sides being; heard, manufacturer and importer. Judging by newspaper reports, a misapprehension exists as to the impartiality of the inquiry regarding woollen products. I can assure you that the committee is mos* impartial a'ad desire to hoar both sides of any question before reporting to the House. A "Shoddy" Bill is not proposed. There is no Tieed for serious apprehension as to present, arrangements in connection with the trade being disturbed."

Mr. A. Kohn, jeweller, of Queen-street, has been speoially appointed jeweller to the _ King of Tonga. Notification of this distinction was 'received by Mr. Kohn yesterday in. tire- siiape of a royal warrant and letter..