CHILDREN’S BOOTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1921, Page 5

CHILDREN’S BOOTS.

SOME CONCESSION IN DUTY. PREMIER ON THE OUTLOOK. DIFFICULTIES NEXT YEAR. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the item children’s boots and shoes came up for reconsideration during the tariff debate in the House to-night, Mr. E. Dixon (Hawera) and Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) put in a strong plea for the admission of these articles duty free, contending that booth manufacturers had neglected their opportunities to import machinery to make these boots, and did not deserve much, consideration. The Premier said he had endeavored to look at this matter from, both points of view. He had made inquiries and found that the proposals to let children’s boots in free woufld cost the country between £14.000 and £15,000, and that he could not afford. He therefore proposed to admit children’s boots in free from sevens to nines to take effect after March 31. This would give retailers an opportunity to get rid of their present stocks, and he would make up the £7OOO he would lose in some other way. Several members urged the Premier to be generous and permit boots-to come in free for children going to school, because that W’as when parents most needed relief.

•Mr. Massey said members had been taking advantage of his generosity for years past, and they had piled up many thousands of pounds in liabilities which would not have been piled up had he known what was coming. It was not this year he w’as afraid of, but next year, whpn there would be a considerable drop in the national income. Farmers, certainly so far as he could see, would not be able to pay any income tax, and a serious drop in land tax might also be expected owing to the reduced valuation. Nothing would give him greater pleasure than to comply with the wishes of members, but- he could not do it and do his duty to the country. The item was passed.