N.Z. BOOT TARIFF EXPLAINED

Southland Times, Issue 23460, 17 March 1938, Page 5

N.Z. BOOT TARIFF EXPLAINED

MEANS OF CHECKING UNEMPLOYMENT LANCASHIRE REASSURED BY MR JORDAN (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 16, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. After the protest against the New Zealand boot tariff by. certain Lancashire manufacturers, the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. Jordan) met representatives of Lancashire and other constituencies interested in boot manufactures. Mr Jordan explained that partly because of the introduction of the 40hour week and improved wages the cost of production in New Zealand had increased by 20 per cent. There was a rise in imports between 1935 ana 1937 of 33,000 dozen pairs of boots and shoes, valued at £126,000, resulting in unemployment for a short time in New Zealand. Mr Jordan emphasized New Zealand’s desire for friendliness with Britain, adding that the tax was not to exclude British manufacturers but to maintain a normal flow of trade. The \ meeting agreed Mr Jordan had shown that, far from suffering a prohibitive tariff, the British were enjoying a 1 preference of one shilling compared with Australian manufacturers and foreigners, and it was also agreed that the duty was not unreasonable as far as it affected the particular class of footwear about which the protest was made as it was manufactured in Lancashire. Replying to questions m the House of Commons, the Secretary fbr the Dominions (Mr Malcolm . MacDonald) said New Zealand had increased its footwear duties in order to| check unemployment and this had caused increased imports at a. time when the New Zealand production costs were rising. . , Mr W. A. Burke (Labour): Is it not a fact that British production costs have also increased, for which reason the position remains substantially the same between England and New Zealand? , x Mr MacDonald: I understand that fresh representations are being made on that point. The British Government is keeping in touch with British manufacturers. '