FOOTWEAR TARIFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 18

FOOTWEAR TARIFF

MANUFACTURERS' DEFENCE ENGLISH BOYCOTT THREAT The N e\v Zealand Manufacturers' Federation has issued the following comment on the report that 8000 boot and shoe operatives in Lancashire were threatening retaliatory action in consequence of the decision of the New Zealand Government to increase tho 1 duty on English footwear: — "The tariff incrense in respect of footwear was made after long discussion and after examination of the case presented by the United Kingdom Government. It is fully in accord with the Ottawa agreement. "The public should be tnade awara of two important factors in the position. First, there will be a proportionate increase in the amount of materials and supplies imported from England bv the local footwear manufacturers. Second, the recent tariff adjustments generally moan the diversion to the United Kingdom of an amount of trade which will very greatly exceed the comparatively small drop caused by the check to the imports in footwear. "The importer is vainly trying to stop in New Zealand the wave of industrial progress which to-day is common in every country in the world. As to the alleged attitude of England in the present instance, the Imperial Economic Committee, with a representative of the United Kingdom Government as chairman, reported unanimously in 1932 as follows: — " 'Broad economic tendency appears to be one of movement in every country—movement in the predominantly agricultural countries toward industry. Agreements should have tho effect of facilitating the changes everywhere apparent, that is, the growth of industry in less industrialised countries, and the greater specialisation of industry in tho mora highly industrialised countries.' "This trend is so definite and strong and ?o fully accepted by England," concludes the "that the local importer will fight against it in vain. There has never been a tariff adjustment in this or any other country which has not occasioned from vested interests an outcry similar to the present one."