DUTY ON FOOTWEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22917, 21 December 1937, Page 9

DUTY ON FOOTWEAR

DOMINION IMPORTS CONCERN IN ENGLAND AN INCREASE OPPOSED [FROM OUR OWN' COBRKSPONIJKNT] LONDON, Dec. 1 Boot and shoe manufacturer,s in England view with grave concern reports that the New Zealand Government is contemplating increasing tarifls, or imposing quota restrictions, or both, 011 adults' leather footwear imported from the United Kingdom. l{epresentations are being prepared for submission to New Zealand opposing tho proposals. "A temporary increase of British footwear imports into the Dominion has occurred, but in view of the marked growth of tho New Zealand industry in recent years, manufacturers here feel there is no justification for increasing duties," said Mr. G. I'. Colvin, secretary of the National Federation of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers. "Figures issued by tlie Dominion Statistics Office recently show tho astounding progress the local footwear industry has made and to argue that British imports are causing it to languish is simply absurd. "It has been stated that there have been dismissals in tho industry in New Zealand recently, but the trade, as it is here, is" a seasonal one, and there, are bound to be dismissals at certain times of tho year. We consider the increase in "British imports lately is purely duo to increased prosperity and a certain amount of overstocking by wholesalers in anticipation of higher prices. As regards claims that costs have risen in New Zealand, tho same thing has occurred here, and we cannot see that tho basis of competition between manufacturers here and in the Dominion has changed." Mr. Colvin added that inquiries that had been made by tho New Zealand Government bad been confined,

hitherto, to manufacturers in that country anil tho trade in England felt no action should ho taken before it had an opportunity to put its case fully. Reference to the possible increase of duties was made by the president of the licicester Chamber of Commerce, Mr. J. R. Corah, at a luncheon given in honour of the High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, on the occasion of the opening of an exhibition of Dominion produce in Leicester yesterday. He said he had heard a rumour of the possibility of still higher duties, or a quota, on boots and shoes, referring to the drop in exports of English footwear to New Zealand since 1931. It was sincerely hoped that there was no truth in it. One-way traffic was not wanted. From New Zealand's point of view, the matter was made public at an unfortunate time as the keynote of the exhibition was the need for reciprocal trade between the two countries and the High Commissioner, who had spoken just previously, had urged the removal of quotas on New Zealand produce.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE TRADE IN AUCKLAND SHARP DROP IN BARLEY NEW SEASON'S STOCKS ARRIVE Pou.'trykeepers will welcome the sharn'reduction in the price of barley which has taken place during the past week. The first of the new season's supplies have arrived front Australia, and prices have declined by as much as Is a bushel. A heavy inquiry is looked for as this grain is expected to be cheap for some time.. Values for maize have been advanced by about 3d a bushel, while chaff also is slightly dearer. There has been a slight reduction in oats. Both potatoes and onions show a fractional easing in value. Business generally in grain and produce is now quiet with the approach of Christmas.

POTATOES Although there has been a slight casing in the market for Pukekohe potatoes, prices remain at comparatively high levels. The through store quotation ruling yesterday was about 7* a bag, a fall of about till over the past week. Merchants expect that values will remain high throughout January and February. ONIONS Fair stocks of imported Canadian onions are held locally and these are considered to bo sufficient to meet the demand until tho new season's supplies are available from Pukekoho early in the new year. Owing to the proximity of these supplies, there lias been a further weakening in the market. Latest values at from Ms to 15s n bag, through store, are about (id cheaper than a week ago. Merchants arc experiencing difficulty in clearing the stocks, which are showing signs of growing on account of the warm weather. FOWL WHEAT After an acute shortage which ruled for several weeks, stocks of fowl wheat are now plentiful following the arrival of several largo shipments from Australia. There is a fair demand. Through store quotations are maintained at last .week's level of from 7s 3d to 7s 5d a bushel. MAIZE As n result of the firm market which Is now ruling for maize, there has been an advance of approximately :id a bushel during the past week. Current through store rates range from (is (id to (is 7d a bushel. There is only a quiet demand. Merchants are still distributing stocks of imported maize from South Africa, and they do not expect to drawon the East Coast districts until next month. B A It LEY

Willi the arrival of the first of the new season's barley from Australia, there has been a welcome reduction in prices on the local market. Poultrykeepers changed from barley io fowl wheat some months ago on account of the price factor, but it now appears that the process will be reversed. Merchants state that barley will probably bo the cheapest grain available for some time, and a heavy demand is expected. Supplies of the new season's clipped barley are sellinsr at from ,'is 5d to .->s 7d a bushel, with undipped quoted from 5s to 5s .'id a bushel. These rates are about Is cheaper than those ruling at week ago. OATS AND CHAFF A firm market continues to rule for chaff. Prices have increased slightly again, the latest rates being from .CIO 5s io £lO 10s a ton, through store. Stocks are meeting with only a limited inquiry. A quiet but- steady market is ruling for oats at the slightly cheaper level of from .'is !)d to Is lid a bushel, through store. BRAN AND POLLARD Ample supplies of bran are now available and merchants are able to meet all orders in full. However, there has been a weakening in the demand. Through store values are maintained at last week's level of from i'(i 15s to t'7 a ton. A steady market is ruling for Australian pollard. There has been no alteration in the price of from £'!> 5s to if) los a ton. through store. The value fixed by tho Wheat Committee also is unchanged at i' 7 a ton.

DAIRY .PRODUCTION NORTHERN WAIROA RETURNS [nY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DAROAVILLE, Monday For November £43,824 was paid out by the Northern Wairoft Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, in advances to suppliers, as compared with £46,226 for tne corresponding month of last year, a decrease of £2402. So far this season a total of £132,561 has been paid out, compared with £127,848 for the corresponding period of last year, an increase of £46/6. N . Butter production for the month was 45.'? tons 6ewt., compared with 50.'! tons Bcwt. for the same month last veitr, while so far this season the lflake has been 1368 tons 14cwt., compared with 1390 tons for the corresponding period of the 1935-38 season.