HC Deb 06 December 1933 vol 283 cc1461-2
3. Captain DOWER

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the position in regard to Japanese manufactured hats that are being imported into South Africa and are being sold at 17s. 6d. per dozen under the designation Stettersby?

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

My hon. and gallant Friend's inquiry would appear to relate to a possible contravention of the Trade Marks Laws in the Union of South Africa. I understand that His Majesty's Government in the Union recently promulgated a Government notice to the effect that in view of the continued importation into the Union of goods marked with or bearing

  1. (a) False goods descriptions;
  2. (b) Trade Marks illegally used;
  3. (c) Colourable imitations of registered trade marks; and
  4. (c) The word "registered" in respect of a mark upon which inquiry is found not to be registered in the, Union;
it has been decided by the Union Government to prohibit such goods from importation and to seize them as forfeited. It may be that the goods which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind may fall to be dealt with under the above regulations, and if therefore further details can be furnished I shall be glad to transmit them to the Union Government for consideration. I may also add that an exchange dumping duty is applicable in the Union in respect of certain classes of goods imported from countries with depreciated currencies, and that as from 18th August last this duty was, inter alia, applied to "all men's and boys' hats other than tweed hats" imported into the Union from Japan.

Captain DOWER

May I take it that if any further instances of any kind of Japanese goods sold under deceptive names are brought to the right hon. Gentleman's attention, that will apply?

Mr. THOMAS

That is true, and the hat that my hon. Friend endeavoured to present to me has already had the desired effect, although I did not accept it.