Jewellery "not just a luxury’

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 24

Jewellery "not just a luxury’

PA Auckland The Australian and New Zealand Governments must recognise the jewellery industry as essential, not just a luxury, says the president of the Australian Jewellers’ Association, Mr Bruce Robinson. Mr Robinson was a guest at the annual jewellers and watchmakers’ conference held in Auckland and attended by about 250 people. One of the main problems jewellers faced was politicians not recognising their industry, said Mr Robinson. Taxes and duty were applied to jewellery without consideration to the important role the industry was playing, he said. Mr Robinson’s view was echoed by the president of

the New Zealand Jewellers’ Association, Mr Ron Avery. “It is vital we get through to our Government leaders that this trade is not an elite luxury trade but the truth — that we are an expanding, viable industry that is prepared to play its part in the economy of New Zealand,” he said. Mr Avery hoped politicians and Government officials would accept jewellers’ requests positively. “When we ask for a change in the duty rates of watches to overcome illicit imports or assistance for our exporters who wish to re-export diamonds, it is done without selfish motive, but what we see as in the best interest of New Zealand,” he said.