SPORTING EQUIPMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 21

SPORTING EQUIPMENT

HIGH DUTIES CRITICISED FREE ENTRY. ADVOCATED [by TKLEC It A P H—O w N CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday The high customs duties on sporting equipment were criticised by Mr- Bod Byrne at a meeting called at Hawera to form a committee, in accordance with the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. Mr. Syme said the present duties tfere a definite deterrent to those who desired to take part in sports that needed equipment that was not manufactured in New Zealand. He tirged that representations be made to the Government to allow such goods to enter the country duty tree. Ski-ing, badminton and tennis equipment, lor instance, was retailed in the Dominion ft a cost beyond the reach of many. It was impossible to participate in wine sports without purchasing equipment costing about £5. said Mr. Syme. The same goods could be bought in the country of origin for less than a third °f that price. In the sports mentioned there were no Now Zealand manufacturers of the jioocls, and it was therefore unfair to impose prohibitive duties. The Hawera Physical Welfare and •Recreation Committee- should take the ""bject up and urce upon the Government the desirability of removing the duty. The Mavor of- Hawera, Mr. J. ECampbell, said that* although he agreed *ith the views expressed, lie thought two likelihood of the removal of the ,''t.v verv remote. However, he couriered it was a subject which should " e investigated bv the committee.