JAPANESE COMPETITION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 903, 26 October 1933, Page 3

JAPANESE COMPETITION.

Government Investigates Situation. United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. LONDON, October 25. The Government is making most comprehensive investigation as to the effects of Japanese competition with British trade, in view of the discussions to take place between British and Japanese industrialists in the middle of November. The hope, is expressed that instead of being compelled to resort to the imposition of higher tariffs to protect the home manufacturer against the low wages, Government subsidies and depreciated currency in Japan, a more amicable solution may be found by agreement between the two countries. Manchester shirt manufacturers are the latest to suffer from the sudden flooding of the market by cheap Japanese wares. Whereas the price of English shirts is 32s a dozen, Japanese are selling to Manchester retailers at 21s a dozen. Japanese bathing costumes are being offered at twopence half-penny apiece. In the meantime Lancashire is being faced with further troubles in connection with the more looms per weaver movement, which are causing threats of a strike by cotton workers, and threats of drastic wage cuts by the employers. This development has come in spite of the* fact that it is obvious that a stoppage at the present time would result in irrecoverable losses.