TARIFF ADVOCACY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22867, 23 October 1937, Page 8

TARIFF ADVOCACY

ARGUMENTS ANALYSED MANUFACTURERS CRITICISED FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING Tim arguments adduced bv local manufacturers in favour of increased tariff protection a r<? critically surveyed by Mr. Gainor Jackson, of Auckland, in a letter to the Hf.rald. He considers that most of their troubles arise from excessive competition within the industry, induced originally by the profits made under un,d«l/ high tariff protection. Mr. Jackson says that one will readily concede that recent Government legislation, particularly the increased wngi-:s and the 40-hour week, have raised )>raduction costs, but these advances apply - also to most items imported. Practically all imported articles over flic past months show advances in prices from 10 to 30 per cent, so the .increases in both local manufactures and imported goods have been approximately comparable. "Many of the figures which have been used to favour increased tariff protection have been employed unfairly," Mr. Jackson states. "Impressive statistics showing the increase in imports have been quoted by Ucal manufacturers, but in presenting these figures they have carefully avoided pointing out that they have been comparing the boom years of 1936-37 with the slump period of 1030-34. They have avoided any statements, showing the enormous increases in : the outputs of local manufacturers over the same periods." Figures. Mr. Jackson says, have been used in connection with,the import of boots, but no mention has been made of the fact that over 50 (ier cent of the imports of footwear shown in the official statistics consist of "rubbersoled, canvas shoes which are not manufactured in this country. The Abstract of Statistics for September gives the following details of imports of footwear, the number of pairs produced in New Zealand factories being shown in parentheses:—l 93435, " 2.310.312 (2,531.7491: 193536, 2,368,728 <{>,801,265); 1936 37, 2,426,808 (3,210.113). Strong reference to the influx of excessive imports_has been made by Mr. F. X. Ambler, who is engaged in the production of clothing, such as shirts and pyjamas, Mr. Jackson states. The importations of shirts, pyjamas, collars, cuffs and nightdresses amounted to £29,043 in 1935 and £30.189 in 1936, an increase of less than 4 |*.-r cent. The protection accorded New Zealand manufactured shirts was 60 i>er cent against British goods and 105 per cent against those of foreign origin.