SILK GOODS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3183, 6 September 1917, Page 6

SILK GOODS

EFFECT OF NEW TAXES INCREASED LOCAL PROTECTION "The proposals in tbo Finance Bill as to silks in the piece will leave New Zeaj land manufacturers in an even better ; position than they were under the tariff ;of 1907," says Sir Joseph Ward in a letter to Mr. \Y. T. Jennings (Taumarunui). "Up to the present tho position, has been as follows: — "Silks, satins, velvets, etc., in the piece, 20 per cent. duty. "Apparel and made-up clothing, such as blouses, etc., 25 per cent. duty. "The position under tho proposals of the Finance Bill will bo: "Silks, satins, velvets, etc., in the piece, 20 per cent, duty if from British Dominions, 30 per cent, if from foreign countries. "Apparel and made-up clothing, such as blouses, etc., 25 per cent. if from British Dominions, 871 per cont. if from foreign countries. "Tho protection againet Japanese clothing is therefore increased from 5 per cent, to 7J per cent, in the case of foreign eilk piece goods, mado up in New 7ea- ] land, and to 17S per cent, in tho case of apparel mado from eilk picco goods produced in any British Dominion. "There is further protection in the fact. that the duty paid by New Zealand importers will be on the value of the goods in tho piece, whereas the importer of Japanese made-up clothing would have to pay on tho value of the made-up goods. He would also have to pay for the increased freight and boxing. "We" are at present receiving moro goods of every kind from Japan owing to the difficulty of supply from elsewhere, and I think tho question of striking the full amount of preference or protection which should be given to British countries and local manufacturers would be better left for the all-round revision of Ihe tariff which must come shortly after the conclusion of "the war. We will then be in a better. position to define a policy of protection or preference as applied to British Dominions, Allied countries, neutrals, and present enemy countries."