BOYCOTT THREAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 10

BOYCOTT THREAT

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE J RESULT OF TARIFFS ENGLISH SHOE TRADE ATTITUDE OF WORKERS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON, Monday The action of the New Zealand Government in increasing the duty on English footwear imports has provoked the threat of a boycott of New Zealand produce by 8000 operatives in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. The following cablegram was received from the Rossendale Association of Manufacturers to-day: "The new duty of 3s a pair means an embargo on three-quarters of the English footwear. Exporters would be satisfied with a 25 per cent -tariff, otherwise 8000 operatives in Rossendale Valley will place the same embargo on New Zealand produce." Warning of Repercussions "This convoys a real warning as to the repercussions likely to follow any attempt to place undue restrictions on imports from the United Kingdom," said Mr. C. W. Budd, president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives' Association, when the cablegram was shown to him. "The United Kingdom market, although a very large one, is very sensitive to anything which is tantamount to an embargo on its products," he continued. "We always understood that the authorities in New Zealand were opposed to specific duties, one reason being that they could be construed as discriminatory by foreign countries. It is very surprising, therefore, to find them extended to imports from the United Kingdom. Possible Effects "Whenever there has been talk in England of restrictions on New Zealand produce to conserve the interests of English farmers there has been an outcry in New Zealand. We trust this boycott movement will not spread to other industrial centres which have been affected by the increased tariff, and we hope the New Zealand Government will take immediate steps to reverse its decision, which might have such disastrous effects on the goodwill held for Now Zealand by many thousands of employees in the factories affected. . All efforts to build up a marketing system in the United Kingdom could go for nothing if our customers are offended."