SILK GOODS

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 40

SILK GOODS

INCREASED LOCAL PROTECTION. "The proposals in the Finance Bill as to silks in the piece will leave New Zealand manufacturers in an even better position than they were under the tariff or 1907," says Sir Joseph Ward in a letter to Mr W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui). "Up to the present the position has been as follows: " Silks, satins, velvets, etc., in the piece, 20 per cent. duty. '' Apparel and made-up clothing, such as blouses, etc., 25 per cent. duty. " The. position under the proposals of the Finance Bill will be: "Silks, satins, velvets, etc., in the piece, 20 per cent, duty if from British dominions, 30 per cent, if from foreign countries. " Apparel and made-up clothing, such as blouses, etc., 25 per cent, if from British dominions, 37| per cent, if from foreign countries. "The protection against Japanese clothing is therefore increased from 5 per cent, to 7i per cent, in the_ case of foreign silk piece goods, made up in New Zealand, and to 17i per cent, in the case of apparel made from silk piece goods produced in any British dominion. " There is further protection in the fact that the duty paid by New Zealand importers will be on the value of the goods in the piece, whereas the importer of Japanese made-up clothine: would have to pay on the value of the made-un goods. He would also have to pay for the increased freight and boxing. "We are at present receiving more goods of every kind from Japan owing to the difficulty of supply from elsewhere, and I think the question of striking _ the full amount of preference or protection which should bo given to British, countries and local manufacturers would be better left for tho all-round revision of the tariff which must come shortly after the conclusion of the war. We will then be in a better position, to define a policy of protection or preference as applied to British dominions. Allied countries, neutrals, and present enemy countries."