HUNDREDS MORE HANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 4, 6 January 1939, Page 8

HUNDREDS MORE HANDS

BOOT AND SHOE INDUSTRY REQUIREMENTS OF SOUTH ISLAND FIRM EFFECT OF NEW REGULATIONS. [ Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 5. Hundreds more workers will be required for boot and shoe factories in Christchurch within the next 38 months. This will be one of the early results of the Government’s decision to restrict the import of overseas goods. An extension of the footwear factory of Suckling Bros., Ltd., will take place immediately. The firm will go ahead with £lO,OOO building scheme, which will double the area of the present factory and allow for a 50 per cent, increase in output. Other factories in the city will also be faced with demands of increased business and reorganisations will be necessary. Mr. J. A. East, managing director of Suckling Bros., Ltd., said that when extensions to his firm’s factory were completed and the new plant all in operation, ac least 200 workers would be required in addition to the present staff of 330. It would take not less than five months to complete the buildings. Mr. East estimated the output of boots and shoes in Christchurch factories at present at approximately 12,000 pairs a week. There were also about 8000 or 7000 pairs of slippers 'produced. Already the effect of the import regulations was apparent in the firmer demand for local shoes, and it could be safely said that there -would be a big expansion of output this year. He estimated that about 500 new operatives would be required within the next 18 months or two years. Already his firm was preparing workers for an extension of the factory by teaming them in the work that would be icquired. Direction of so much more business into local factories could be expected to give them, for the first time, regular employment for the whole year instead of having boot and shoe operatives working for some months on full time and some months not. MINISTER ASKED FOR STATEMENT AUCKLAND IMPORTERS' REQUEST I Per Press Association.’] AUCKLAND, Jan. 5. The following telegram was sent today to the Minister of Customs, Hon. W. Nash, by the Auckland Importers' Association:— “Importers are nonplussed at the system governing import licences. We strongly urge you to make a statement clarifying the position and enabling immediate conduct of business.” 1 “NO NEED TO WORRY” LICENSING OFFICER'S OPINION PRIVATE PURCHASING NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 5. There is no reason for New Zealand business firms to become anxious over the recently announced import regulations," said the licensing officer at New Plymouth. Mr. J. M. O'Reilly, when interviewed regarding the allegation made by a business man that in framing the regulations the Government had left a loophole which might easily nullify the whole intention of the proposed restrictions. "It is certain that when overseas mail order firms notice the provision permitting anyone to import goods for his own personal use to the value of £lO they will immediately Hood New Zealand with catalogues," said this business man. who maintained that people acting individually could easily make overseas purchases that would amount to a sufficient total to imperil the Dominion’s London balances. No Fear of Repetition Mr. O'Reilly said he doubted if there could be a repetition of the cash on delivery system, which had been successfully abolished. "It did assume alarming proportions in some districts,” said Mr. O'Reilly. “I believe that on the West Coast as much as £25,000 per annum left the country. Business firms need have no fear that it will be repeated." he said. "It is a reasonable thing to expect that New Zealanders should be in a position to receive gifts from friends and relatives overseas without going through all the formality,” said Mr O'Reilly. The paragraph o', the Import Control Regulations, 1938, which the manufacturer was obviously referring was as follows: "Bona, fide gifts, and goods not exceeding £lO in value (New Zealand currency) in respect c,' any one importation imported per post by persons for their own use and not for the purposes of sale or business.” "I doubt very much whether the Act could be abused," said Mr. O’Reilly. "If a Customs officer detected —and it would be very easily for him to do so—any misuse of the regulations, action would be immediately taken.” There was no sales tax on gifts, he added, but import duty had to be paid, and the position would be unchanged under the new regulations in this respect.