THE NEW TARIFF.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8882, 6 August 1907, Page 2

THE NEW TARIFF.

Alterations to be blade. Per Press Association. AViillin'oto:,’, August 5. A deputation representing mauufnctur. rs, importers and distributors of boots and shoes waited on tho Minister of Customs this evening. Mr It. Hannah said it came as surprise that tho tariff was to bo altered. As far as ho know all manufacturers were Sod with tho duties they wore workifig under. He was most surprised that sopia of the goods protected were of a class few manufacturers touched namely rubber goods and a cheaper grade of slippers, tie had received a telegram from the President of tho Manufacturers’ Association stating that manufacturers were satisfied with the tariff on boots and shoos with tho cscep tion of felts and rubber goods which should be under thp old rato.

Mr A. Lindsay, senior, said they agreed that infants’ boots should be allowed in free but certain other things which could not bo mado in New Zealand had been singled out for duty goloshes, evening shoes and slippers for example. J. Thornton, representing Christchurch .Retailors’ Association, said tho old tariff gavo sufficient encouragement to local manufacturers.

MrjW. H. Fitzir said the operatives themselves had never asked for further’ protection. The Minister in reply said, primarily thq object of Government in framing the tariff was to find work for our own arti? sans before thinking of those of othov countries. Tho importation of boots v.aa steadily increasing, while our own iiianiu facturoi's were practically standing still, Ho admitted certain goods could not be produced as cheaply hero as in other countries, and ho hoped they never would bo, but a good ease had been made out with respect to felt slippers, which he believed were more or less death traps, and rubber goods also. Ho was prepared to ask Cabinet to reconsider tho matter of felt slippers and rubber goods.