BRISK WIRELESS TRADE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1931, Page 7

BRISK WIRELESS TRADE

DEMAND IN AUSTRALIA.

BENEFIT TO MANUFACTURERS

Sydney, May 21. Amid a general slackness of trade, radio manufacturing provides one bright spot as an Australian industry in a peculiarly flourishing condition. Manufacturers are working at top pressure, and are unable to fulfil orders. Retailers have sold more wireless sets this season than ever before. Continually the sales branch of the industry importunes the manufacturing branch.to speed up the work; plant and equipment are taxed to the limit.

. Two factors contribute mainly to the existing conditions: —The difficulty experienced by the public in paying for other forms of amusement and the tariff duties imposed in November, 1929. So far as the first factor is concerned, many persons who were regular attendants at places of amusement have found it preferable to pay a deposit on a radio receiver, pay off the balance in instalments, and take their amusement in their own homes.

The tariff has had a widespread influence on the radio industry. The old ad valorem duty of 55 per cent., while reasonably effective against good quality instruments of foreign manufacture, was not sufficient to keep out the flood of over-production dumped from outside Australia of inferior receivers and parts, but when a specific duty of 30s per valve socket was placed on radio receivers in November, 1929 —a method particularly effective against inferior goods —a definite cheek was noticeable.

■During the 1930 season the complete effect of the tariff was not felt, owing to the large stocks which wer • carried by importers, and only this year have Australian manufacturers benefited to the full extent.