IMPORTED GOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21132, 15 March 1932, Page 11

IMPORTED GOODS.

PACKING IN NEW ZEALAND. SCHEME OF MANUFACTURERS. A conference of manufacturers of containers, called by the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, was held yesterday afternoon to consider widening the field of employment in New Zealand by packing in the Dominion larger quantities of imported goods. The chairman of the association, Mr. S. Takle, presided over an attendance of representatives of a number of industries, including the manufacture of boxes, paper bags, glass and metal containers, and printing.

The question was raised by the Wellington Manufacturers' Association, which held a similar meeting last month. It was then decided that, the conference was of opinion that many lines at present imported into New Zealand in containers could bo imported in bulk, or in large containers, and packed in the Dominion. Employment would be given in this way to an additional number of New Zealand workers, with little, if any, extra cost to the consumer.

Support of the Wellington resolution was expressed by several speakers at yesterday's meeting, and a decision approving the opinion was carried. Mr. W. N. Kerns dealt with a number of products at present packed outside New Zealand which could, with advantage, be packed in the Dominion. It was also stated to the meeting that numbers nf containers at present being admitted free of duty were directly competing with interests of New Zealand goods. It was pointed out that the manufacture of containers in the Dominion was capable of considerable extension without any hardship to the importer of the products concerned or the consumer, and the view was expressed that the subject was one worthy of close examination during the present time of trade difficulty. A motion was carried recommending all those sections of manufacturers interested in making packages, and affected by the importation of goods already packed, to make separate representations to the Department of Industries and Commerce and the Development of Industries Board to have duty placed on the imported containers with the view of encouraging local industry.