GOVERNMENT PLUNDERING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21386, 14 July 1931, Page 8

GOVERNMENT PLUNDERING

ro nilt EDITOR. Sir _it may interest you to hear of Government methods of. extracting money from certain manufacturers and importers. Without notice of any kind a duty ot 67 per cent, on invoice value was recently imposed on hatmakers’ sewn linings although these goods have been admitted free as hatmakers’ materials for years. These linings are made in England from foreign silks, but some local firm has commenced to make them and has evidently been able to persuade the Minister to impose this prohibitive tariff. i one manufacturer who will be assisted at least 20 hatmakers will have their costs increased. , , , This undoubtedly is a stupid mote, but the main point is that this increase in cost of 67 per cent, will fall on importers who have these goods on the water, as this prohibitive duty will place the goods about 40 per cent, above the cost of a locally-made substitute. All fair-minded people will agree that the imposition of such an enormous duty on goods already shipped is nothing short of plunder, drastic change was effected without refer' ence to Parliament by the simple process of reclassifying these hatmakers materials as “parts of bats.” —I am, etc., _ ■ j„jy is. Shipping Clerk.