PROTECTING INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22833, 14 September 1937, Page 10

PROTECTING INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT'S POWERS IMPOSITION OF EMBARGOES CASE FOR MANUFACTURERS The cordial reception given to the deputation from the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, which was seeking protection for soft goods manufactures, by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, with whom was the acting-Minis-ter of Customs, the Hon. M. Fagan, was emphasised by Mr. F. 11.1 1 . Ambler, the president of the Auckland Manufacturers', Association, reporting to the general committee yesterday.

Mr. Ambler said that Mr. Sullivan had been asked whether aiiy notice had been given to terminate or amend the trade agreement with Australia. Mr. Sullivan's reply was that no notice had yet been given, but that the Government had the power to impose embargoes at any time, on any goods, jugt as had been done with oranges.

The deputation had placed before the Minister the conditions in tho soft goods industry, stating that it was imperative that some measure of protection be provided, to enable the industry to meet competition from sources in which the workers were not so favourably placed as were the workers in this country. The Minister of Industries and Commerce and the acting-Minister of Customs were both out to aid the manufacturer, said Mr. Ambler, and he hoped that they would bo able to convince their colleagues of the seriousness of the position.

Mr. Ambler added that Mr. Sullivan had commended the deputation on tho manner in which it had supported its case with figures and statistics. Five of the association's trade groups, the clothing, knitwear, underclothing, frocks and mantles, and shirts and pyjamas, all divisions of the soft goods industry, were interested in the deputation.