WOOLLEN AND CLOTHING TRADES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12855, 2 May 1905, Page 6

WOOLLEN AND CLOTHING TRADES.

THE UNIFORMS QUESTION

[by TKLKORAI'H. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Monday. Itr.i'i.YiNc to the representatives of the woollen and clothing trades, who asked him to-day whether something could be done to have the uniforms for volunteers made in the colony, instead of being imported from Home, the Premier said it had always been his earnest desire to promote the industrials of the colony. They would admit thaji 40 per cent, was a. very fair impost upon imported clothes and manufactured goods. What was really wanted was to cultivate public sentiment in the direction of realising I lie collateral advantage of keeping- the. money in the colony. If people would be a. little- less selfish it would be much better for all concerned. The Cabinet had decided that the power of exempting imported uniforms from duty should not be exercised, and as far as he knew that- decision had been. adhered to. He would make inquiries, and ask that the decision of the Cabinet should be complied with. 'Hie Government, however, could not interfere with corps sending Home for their goods. The companies received their capitation, and it was theirs to do what, they liked with it. The Government could not prevent them. He should, however, have thought that the volunteers would have realised that by sending Home for their uniforms they were doing an injustice to their fellow colonists and i fellow workers. He would bring the matI ter before the Cabinet.