THE NEW TARIFF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 30 July 1907, Page 3

THE NEW TARIFF.

Slippers and Shoes. “Ifa man wants comfortable slippers to wear while going down to his free breakfast he will have to pay an exorbitant price for them under the new tariff,” said Mr James Hannah to a “Post” reporter on Eriday last in Wellington. He gave instances of English goods that would be very appreciably increased in price. Women’s felt slippers, formerly subject to 25 per,, cent duty, are locaryr an impost of 100 percent., which will swell the present selling price from is 3d to is nd. The duty ‘ on children’s felt slippers is to go - to 150 per cent;, according to the Government proposals, bringing the price to the wearer from is to is gd ; women’s evening shoes, with a rise from 25 per cent to 80 per cent., would advance from 3s 6d to 5s a pair ; gymnasium shoes with rubber soles would jump from 3s 6d to 4s 6d under the stimulus of a 60 per cent increase in the duty. Some lin.es of gymnasium shoes not obtainable in England are got from America. Under the old tariff they pay 37 >2 per cent ; but they are assessed at 148 per cent in the new list, and this will lift them from 4s 6d to 7s 6d a ' pair retail. “ The local manufactures won’t touch these

lines,” said Mr Hannah. “ They are low priced stuff, and there is no money in it. Fell slippers and evening shoes can’t and won’t be manufactured here, and there is no chance of making gymnasium shoes at all.” For all of which the worker should be truly grateful.