GERMAN TRADE

Southland Times, Issue 18972, 20 June 1923, Page 9

GERMAN TRADE

THE DRAPERS’ POINT OF VIEW. In the course of a leading article on the resumption of trade with Germany, the New Zealand Draper, which voices the opinion of the trade from one end of the Dominion to the other, says:— “ The Customs Department are now considering what regulations are necessary, and have issued a draft set, a copy of which has been sent to our federation, and other interested bodies, with the request that it be considered and inviting comments and suggestions thereon. This is commendable, and should produce satisfactory results. . . . Readers will probably come to the conclusion that the draft regulations are inspired with the. admirable intention of protecting the local, and British manufacturer, from unfair competition which might arise from a market whose conditions are wholly abnormal. In attempting this, the Department seem prepared not only to use all the protective measures authorised by Parliament, but to go further by imposing special loading upon such importations which, in their judgment, are too successfully coming in under existing checks. ... We consider it is not merely ‘desirable as far as possible,’ but a necessary right of importers that they should know where they stand before placing their orders. The list of goods subject to depreciated currency should not be increased, and dumping duty should not be charged except after six months’ notice. The time given for any alteration, three months, is quite insufficient. We recommend that the embargo be not raised before January 1, 1924, and in any case not less than six months after definite regulations have been framed assessing goods for duty from those countries on a depreciated currency rate. It would be also advisable that pro tern all importations from Germany should be dealt with in the currency of the importing country. This will save the Customs Department both time and trouble. . . . Our recommendation, then, in brief, is as follows:—To the imposition of the 10 per cent, or 15 per cent, preferential tariff, as the case may be, should be added a depreciated currency luty of, say, 20 per cent, to 25 per cent., levied upon the normal export price of such goods quoted in English currency. The anti-dumping clause relating to goods sold below the local market price for local consumption, could still be given effect to when necessary. If the addition to the depreciated currency list of all manufactured goods is not agreed upon, we think that to give the British manufacturer a fair run, it will be necessary to add to the list, lace and lace goods, hosiery, fabric gloves, woven wear, cotton and linen piece goods, and shawls.”