DUTY ON SLIPPERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 156, 26 March 1908, Page 8

DUTY ON SLIPPERS.

MANUFACTURERS AND THE MINISTER. DEFINITIONS DISCUSSED. . : Reference was made in these columns two days ago to exceptions taken by: boot' and shoo importers to the definition that'is being placed' on slippers imported under the last Customs tariff-. This matter has discussed by representatives of 'manufacturers and importers from Auckland and Wellington, who also yesterday waited- upon tho Minister for Customs (the Hon. J. A. Millar) t-o lay the matter before him. . Messrs. R. Hannah (Wellington) and T. Hodgson, manager and secretary of tho Northern-Boot and Shoo Manufacturing Company (Auckland) were tho spokesmen. . •

It was pointed out that the Department had ( recently issuod a circular ■ defining . a slipper "as ail article of footwear having a split-lift and top-piece heel only, and shall not be strapped." This an article rccognised by tho trade as-a slipper, but differing from the foregoing definition in that it had in some cases a heel differentlyconstructed from "a split-lift and a toppicce," though seldom oxceeding tho' halfinch thickness. It was contended that tho dofinition was unfair, and soveral samples of slippers were submitted to the Minister. The-trade rocognised that a shoe was distinct and easily recognisable from a slippor. They submitted a technical description of the slipper which - would better meet tho' case. The difference iii duty was that slippers paid 22j per cent., and shoes Is. per pair plus 15 per cent. It was contended that .largo numbers of the slippers that would, now comq under . "shoes," and pay. the higher duty, were tlioso extensively used 'by the ■ working classes. • ■ • •. Tho Minister .explained at the outset, that it had boon decidcd that the more fact that a slipper contained.a strap'should not con-, stitute it a shoe., Mr. Millar, also. said, in regard to the definition suggested by tho. deputation, that ho had no-power to read into the .tariff something that-was not already there. Tho wording of tho tariff was pretty definite. Ho could not decide against what Parliament did.

The deputation urged that the definition of a shoo from point of the heel should be that the. latter should be lialf-an-inch in height. . The Minister said that information obtained on tlio matter defined a slipper as having a heel constructed of one lift and a top-piece. This trade term would permit of no'misunderstanding. > - / Mr. said'ho was prepared-to write to manufacturers throughout tho. Dominion, and ask them for their opinion and submit tho lottery to tho Minister. . . ' , The Minister said that tho manufacturer, who was also •an importer,' might 'support' tho request of tho deputation, but tho manufacturer pure and solely might see a danger to his trade under it. . i " Tho deputation intimated that, thoy had done all they could to arrive at a fair definition. 'Mr. Hannah said they were as anxious to safeguard'the revenue of the Customs Department as anyone,' though they might get the credit for the. reverse. . The Minister , did not doubt this for a moment. What lie desired was a proper definition for the Customs officers. • Mr. Hannah /intimated that the public would have to pay the cost. He for one .could not work for nothing. Tho Minister said the Government had endoavoured to retain under the old tariff everything that could not be manufactured in Now Zealand. Tho new tariff, was 'to foster and encourage tho' ihdustr'y, and this was tho wholo objcct of tho Govornment. If ho now allowod a definition to bo put on slippers which was going to cut into the. local manufacturing .trade, it- would: not 'W right or in accordance with the intentions of Parliament;, which had passed tho tariff. Mr. Hodgson said that his firm had had to send over to Australia for boots• and shoes that, should have .been manufactured in Now Zealand, but which could-not be owing to want'of laboiir.' Mr. Millar: .Is this man-who is 'coming over hero to establish a boot factory going to manufacture, slippers ?' . Mr. Hodgson: I don't. , know . anything about that firm, except that they are a'lcing time comin2. Mr.' Hannah remarked that. Victorian manufacturers had quite enough to do to look, after thomselves, and wero not likely to como .oyer horo.to establish. Tho Minister replied ho had 'good grounds, for saying that they, had an agqiit over , hero who. held power attorney to purchaso necessary land,.'.. V Mr. Hodgson spoke a- final word in defence of. the manufacturers' /who ..also, imported, and pointed out',that thoy were good customers of .tho Govornment.'