MORE JOBS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20906, 21 December 1929, Page 14

MORE JOBS.

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES,

NIAV TARIFF EFFECTS,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, December 12. Scarcely a day passes without the announcement of some new industry or the extension of an already established industry in Australia, and each announcement gnes credit to the new protective tariff, recently brought ’ into operation by the Labour Government. The Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) said vesterdav that as a r&sult of the new tariff 130,000 new jobs would be created within 12 months. He said that 30,000 more men would be employed almost immediately. Of course, Mr Scullin might bo biased in reaching those estimates, but it is a fact that there has been marked activity in many local industries, notably in silk hosiery, apparel, textiles, and allied trades, .Four leading firms in silk hosiery are already extensively extending their premises. , One firm whose goods are sold extensively in Australia and New Zealand has decided, now that the new tariff has been imposed, trade should be met by a factory on a huge scale which will be erected near Melbourne. The machinery has been ordered, and some of it is on the water. The firm estimates that before long it will- employ 10(H) hands in tlie .various processes of making silk stockings. Another hosiery firm has stated that.within 12 months it will employ 050 more hands than it ’ 's at present.

The sudden imposition of the increased rate on silk hosiery took the trade by surprise. The new duty of 4s 2d a pair on all silk hosiery other than British, and 2s Cd a pair on British, came at a time when large supplies were on the water, and big orders had been placed. It hit the importers very heavily, and although Australian mills have been working three shifts, it will not be p-s----sible to meet the demand for some months to come. Consequently there will lie a shortage in the bettor lines, and retail prices will be raised after Christ mas.

Jt was reported this wed; that several oversea firms have cabled instructions to Sydney agents to secure for them first-class factory lands, and that representatives of those firms are on their way to Australia to open new factories.