MORE JOBS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1929, Page 2

MORE JOBS

EFFECTS OF NEW TARIFF. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. Scarcely a day passes without the announcement of some new industry, or the extension of an already-estab-lished industry, in Australia, and each announcement gives credit to the new protective tariff, recently brought into operation by the Labour Government. The Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) said yesterday that as a result of the new tariff 130,000 new jobs would be created within twelve months. He said that 30,(XX) more men would he employed almost immediately. Of course .Mr Scullin ) might be biased in reaching those estimates, out it is a fact that there has been marked activity in many local industries, notably in silk hosiery, apparel, textiles and allied trades.

i<ne nr in whose goods are sold extensively in Australia and New Zealand has decided that now that the new tariff has been imposed that trade

should he met by a factory on a huge scale which will be erected near Melbourne. The machinery has been ordered and some of it is on the water. The firm estimates that before long it will employ 1003 hands in the various processes of making silk stockings. Another hosiery firm has stated that within 12 months it will employ 653 more hands than it' does at present.

The sudden imposition of the increased rate on silk hosiery took the trade by surprise. The new duty of 4s 2d a pair on all silk hosiery other than British, and 2s 6d a pair on British, came at a time when large supplies were on the water, and big orders had been placed. It hit the importers very heavily, and althougn Australian mills Have been working three shifts, it will not be posible to meet the demand for some months to come. Activity is also manifest in the woollen and knitting mills. One of these mills has already ordered a large quantity pf new machinery from abroad, and it is’ extending its factory. Other results of the tariff are that the important industry of motorbody building has received a great impetus; the manufacture of a famous magneto will now be undertaken in Australia, under license; the making of all kinds of wireless parts, which have been specifically marked out for protection, will be carried out almost immediately; and every inducement has been given for the local distillation of spirits. '

It was reported this week that several overseas firms have cabled instruction to Sydney agents to secure for them first-class factory lands, and that representatives of these firms aie on their way to Australia to open new factories.