TARIFF INQUIRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 11

TARIFF INQUIRY

WOMEN'S APPAREL DdMINION MANUFACTURERS INCREASED DUTIES SGUGHT END OF SEASON JOB LINES [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday Tho joint case on behalf of the Now Zealand manufacturers of womon's outer wear was presented to tho Tariff Commission to-day. Mr. A. E. Marnier, secretary of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, who outlined tho caso, said tho present duties on apparel and readymade clothing wero 27} per cent British preference and 50 per cent general. They asked for a duty of 32J per cent on .British apparel of wool or containing wool, and 65 per cent general. On all other apparel, they asked for 27i per cent British preference and bo per cent general. The industry, liko all other sections of the clothing industry, had been subject sinco the Ottawa Conference to a reduction of approximately 13 per cent ad /valorem in its protection against imports from tho United Kingdom. Tho eight firms associated in the application had an aggregate capital of £53,000. In 1932, they used materials costing £lll,OOO, and the value of their output during the year was £215,000. These firms employed 65 males and 639 females, at an aggregate weekly wage of £lslß. A Major Difficulty '.'One of the greatest difficulties with which this industry has to contend is the competition of imports purchased at job prices," said air. Mander. "At the end of the British summer and winter seasons, British manufacturers and wholesalers job out thoir stocks. I This, of course, is essential, and unfortunately for New Zealand mantle manufacturers, the bulk of these end-of-season job lines have in recent years found their way to the Dominion. The prices at which these lines are sold do not bear any relation to production costs. In fact, the prices realised in many instances would not pay for tho material in tho article, apart from labour and other costs involved in the production. "As tho profits made by British manufacturers or wholesalers on fashionablo lines are fairly heavy in the* beginning of the season, it will bo seen that they can not only afford to job at low prices, but also that it is good business on their part to get these job lines out of tho country, but as far as the New Zealand manufacturers ore concerned this business is on all fours with dumping in other branches of industry. Suggested Remedy

''Our suggestion is that every overseas invoice for clothing of any kind should be endorsed with a declaration by the exporter of the average wholesale price at which similar garments are sold or offered for sale in the country of origin during the preceding six months, and that the duty payable shall be the difference between the actual invoice price and the amount stated in the declaration, plus tho ordinary rate of duty under tho tariff. It would be necessary also for a customs officer in Britain to check the proportion of these declarations. "We submit that the differences in the costs of efficient and economic production in' New Zealand are not less than 27} per cent greater than tho costs in the United Kingdom," concluded Mr. Mander. It was claimed that the New Zealand industry was thoroughly efficient and that coats, costumes and dresses made in New Zealand had a. quality and design second to none. If measures wero taken to check the importation of end-of-season lines, they were convinced that on price and quality New Zealand lines would be unchallenged. The free admission of requisites necesteary for the Roman Catholic Church and for use by Catholics generally was nrged. A reduction in the general tariff from 25 per cent to 20 per cent on crucibles used for laboratory work was sought. A request was also made for the abolition of the present duty of 20 per cent on sanitary earthenware from the X T nitcd Kingdom.