CAN A SLIPPER HE A SHOE?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13708, 26 March 1908, Page 6

CAN A SLIPPER HE A SHOE?

QUESTION OF DUTY.

AN ADAMANT MINISTER.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.]

Wellington, Wednesday. Questions regarding the interpretation of the tariff, lis regards shoes and slippers, were discussed to-day between the Minister for Customs (the Hon. J. A. Millar) and the representatives of manufacturers and importers from Wellington and Auckland. The spokesmen were Messrs. R. Hannah (Wellington) and T. Hodgson (manager of the Northern Boot and Shoe Company, Auckland). The question at issue, apart from interpretation, was one of the payment of duty. Slippers pay 22£ per cent, duty and shoes pay Is a pair, plus 15 per cent. Before the discussion got under way the Minister informed the deputation that it had been decided that the mere fact of a strap being on a slipper did not constitute a shoe. It was explained by the, spokesmen of the deputation that at present there is considerable difficulty in passing entries through the Customs, and that the authorities were placing interpretations on the tariff which had not been anticipated. The deputation submitted that "slippers" should be made of felt, or rather textile material, irrespective of the style and upper or fastening. The Minister: You want me to read into the tariff something that is not already there. If the tariff is definite in its wordnig 1 have no power to do that. Mr. Millar, in reply to further remarks, said lie was not going to decide against what Parliament did. The House agreed that slippers with soles of felt, twine, and carpet should be admitted at 22£ per cent., and that would' be adhered to. Some time was then spent in discussing the question of the definition of a slipper, from another point of —the height of the heel. The deputation urged that the limit should tie half-an-inch. The Minister said he had been at great pains m acquire information on this subject, and he found that it was, and had been for many years, generally recognised that a slipper, to be a slipper and not a shoo, should only have as a heel one lift in the sole piecea trade term which admitted of no misunderstanding. This view was combated at length b}- the deputation, but the Minister stood firm. Mr. Hannah remarked that the public would have to pay the cost. Mr. Millar said the whole idea of tho> duly under the new tariff was to foster the slipper manufacturing industry of New Zealand by reducing the duty on goods that could not be manufactured in New Zealand, and putting a duty on those articles which could bo manufactured here. If he now made a. definition 01 slippers, which was going to cut into the local manufacturer, he would undo the object that Parliament had in passing the tariff. Mr. Hodgson said he had had to send over to Australia, for boots and shoes that ought to have been made in New Zealand. We were unable to make them owing to the want of labour. The Minister: Is the firm from Victoria that is going to start here going to manufacture slippers'.' Mr. Hannah: Victoria has quite enough to do to l.<ok after itself. The Minister: They have appointed an attorney in New Zealand, and the money is deposited here. I know the man who holds the power of attorney to purchase the land. ■