TARIFF COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18986, 1 July 1933, Page 11

TARIFF COMMISSION.

WOMEN’S UNDERWEAR

REQUEST BY* MANUFACTURERS.

UNFAIR JAPANESE COMPETITION

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Friday

A joint case on behalf of the New Zealand manufacturers of women’s underwear was presented before the Tariff Commission to-day by representatives of three of the five major firms operating in the Dominion. They sought the retention of the present .duty of 27$ per cent on United Kingdom manufactures, 40 per cent from remaining parts of the Empire, and 55 per cent on foreign imports. The firms operating in New Zealand had a oapital of £1 paying wages amounting to £595 weekly. The wages of females in New Zealand were 34s lOd weekly, against 25s 5d in England. Japanese competition was the subject of complaint, and it was stated that in many instances the price of Japanese finished goods was lower than the cost the New Zealand manufacturer had to pay for his material. Quality for quality the Japanese made a cheaper article, and the Japanese quality was good. Professor Murphy asked Mr Mander: “Do you think you can cope with this by the tariff?” Mr Mander replied, “Not by a tariff alone. The standard of living in Japan is very much lower than in New Zealand, tnd the competition is unfair.” Professor Murphy: “If that is so practloally the whole of the international trade is unfair.”