N.Z. on Threshold of Trade Skirmish

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 61, 4 December 1937, Page 5

N.Z. on Threshold of Trade Skirmish

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TARIFF PROPOSALS Midland Manufacturers' Tactics INFORMATION LEAK

(By Telegraph -

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(Beceived 4, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 3. New Zealand has been plaeed on the threshold of A delieate situation with the Midland manufacturers as a result of the leakage of details of confidential inquiries from the New Zealand Government to the British Government regarding the tariff for footwear from England, It is reliably understood that New Zealand merely sounded the British Government regarding the proposal to grant additional proteetion to local manufacturers. The gist of the communication was handed on confidentially to the British Federation of Boot and Shoe Nanufacturers. It is now feared that similar tactics to those employed by Manchester against Australia during the negotiations of the Japanese trade treaty may be used against New Zealand in order to protect Midlands* exports to New Zealand, which are worth £1,250,000 annually. * _ One of the immediate effects of the leakage has been a setback to the New Zealand dairy-produce campaign inaugurated by Mr W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner, at Leicester on October 30. Already it has been discovered that there have been subtle attempts by certain traders to belittle the campaign. It is feared that it may extend to the hosiery and woollen trades. According to a message from London published on Thursday, Mr G. B. Colvin, Secretary of the National Federation of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers, issued tho following statement: "The New Zealand Government has informed the British Government that it is contemplating increasing the duty on imported leather footwear for adults or imposing a duty and quota restrictions. New Zealand expresses its williugness to accept xepresentations by British manufacturers who would put forward a case. ' ' The Prime Minister, the Bt. Hon. M. J. Savage, admitted that negotiationsohad been proceeding between the British and New Zealand G.overnments, but stressed that he had isupposed them to be seeret.