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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Mar 1955

Vol. 44 No. 12

Control of Imports Orders—Motions of Approval.

I move:—

That Seanad Eireann hereby approves of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1954.

I understand that this motion of approval and the next one, item No. 3 on the Order Paper, may be discussed together.

As a means towards protecting and developing the Irish woollen weaving industry imports of woollen and worsted piece goods have, since 1935, been prohibited, except under licence, under the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) Order, 1935. Following representations that imports of spun rayon cloths manufactured to resemble woollen and worsted suitings were being sold here in competition with the products of the woollen weaving industry, the Government, on the 23rd May, 1952, made an Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece Goods) (Amendment) Order, 1952, which prohibited, except under licence, the importation of woven piece goods containing more than 85 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre which exceeded 8 oz. in weight per square yard. This Order was confirmed by resolutions passed by the Dáil and Seanad.

Evidence was later produced to show that certain importers were offering spun rayon suitings and gaberdines containing less than 85 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre and the continued unrestricted importation of such cloths would have defeated the purpose of the original Order. The Government, accordingly, made a further amending Order in September, 1953, the effect of which was to extend the scope of the quota on spun rayon suitings to cloths of not less than 40 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre. This Order also was confirmed by resolutions passed by the Dáil and Seanad.

During the year 1954 it was established that substantial orders had been placed with continental suppliers for cloths exceeding 8 oz. in weight per-square yard, which by reason of the introduction of continuous filament rayon fibres and other fibres had been brought outside the scope of the quota. At the same time representations were received from the woollen mills that their production of lightweight cloths not exceeding 8 oz. in weight per square yard was being severely affected by the imports of rayon cloths mainly of continental origin.

As there had already been a number of amendments made it was decided, in the interests of clarity, to codify existing amendments and the further changes necessary to deal with the cloths I have mentioned in one consolidating Order. The Government, accordingly, made a further amending Order to give effect to these proposals. This Order was made by the Government on the 19th October, 1954, and came into operation on the 2nd November, 1954.

Subsequent to the making of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1954, it emerged that certain difficulties had arisen due to an exemption in that Order for cloths containing a fancy weave. On 25th January, 1955, the Government, accordingly, made a further Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1955, revoking this exemption. This Order came into operation on the 1st February, 1955.

As one closely associated with the woollen industry, I heartily agree with the statement of the Parliamentary Secretary. We have in Ireland woollen factories comparable to any in the world, in fact, I would say better. Our woollens have achieved such great popularity in America and elsewhere that I do not think any other country could aspire to such high claims. There are people in this country who propose to relegate to a secondary place the products of their own land. I have seen articles offered to me for resale, and I have often wondered how they could be put on the market at such a price. There are people in Ireland who, within the past few years, have got around the corner to import materials. I have always been a believer in putting into the windows of my business premises in the South of Ireland materials which are made and produced in Ireland. I always feel that, by selling the Irish article, I am helping in some small way to keep some countryman or countrywoman of my own in employment.

In the world to-day, competitive industries have got to such a degree that, in my opinion, we should put up a barrier against imports from any other country. Before the State was set up, back in 1922, Irish mills were able to put on the market cloth as good as any which the West of England or Yorkshire could produce. I am very glad that the Parliamentary Secretary has closed the door finally against some of the shoddy which gullible people in this country think is of Irish manufacture. With regard to some of the stuff I have seen in European countries, it would be very hard to decide whether it was good Irish worsted, or whether it was foreign shoddy. I am very glad that the Parliamentary Secretary has decided to control imports of a considerable amount of that. There is no reason why we should go outside the four shores of our own land. I am very glad that the Parliamentary Secretary has introduced this Order and I hope that, in order to protect other materials which are produced in this country, he will finally close the door against these imports. We in this industry have to pay decent wages, and we are doing a good job for the country. Personally, I detest seeing stuff brought in here, under licence or otherwise, for the manufacture of which, perhaps, in a foreign country, a bag of rice was the payment for a week's work. I have no doubt that the Seanad will give their entire approval to this motion. We in Ireland need not go outside our country for that kind of material when we can get better at home.

Question put and agreed to.

I move motion No. 3.

That Seanad Eireann hereby approves of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1955.

Question put and agreed to.
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