C.E.R. textile idea opposed

Press, 5 July 1983, Page 8

C.E.R. textile idea opposed

PA Wellington The textile industries of New Zealand and Australia both want clothing to stay on the Closer Economic Relations agreement deferred list. New Zealand should follow Australia in restricting imports from cheaplabour South Pacific countries, said the New Zealand Textile and Garment Manufacturers’ Federation at a hearing of submissions into the review of the textile industry development plan. It suggested that no deci-

sion on including clothing in C.E.R. should be made until industries from both sides of the Tasman had agreed on terms and conditions. The federation asked the Industries Development Commission to accept that insufficent time had passed since the 1976-86 development plan for the commission to decide main changes from it were justified. In a draft report, the commission recommended increases in clothing imports and the reduction of some interim duties during

a trial period before longterm levels of tariff protection could be determined. The draft report also recommended removing import controls and customs duties from South Pacific regional trade and economic co-operative agreement countries. The Textile and Garment Manufacturers’ Federation said that the inclusion of clothing within C.E.R. would disrupt the industry’s plan aimed at gaining 90 per cent of the domestic market during the 10 years to 1986.

a So would cheap Pacific imports, it said. The Australian Confederation of Apparel Manufacturers told the commission that the industry in Australia worked under a global import quota scheme that did not expire until the end of 1988. Inclusion of clothing in the C.E.R. agreement would be opposed by its member companies, said the confederation. There would also be international opposition if the Australian Government tried to change the quota scheme before 1988.