keys are light and "click" (hard pads?) ljhutchen ?

Flute is an L J Hutchen # HTFT002394. Has reasonably good tone-all notes-easy to play (no leaks)- very light pad pressure--BUT--sharp, fast fingering, produces a "snap" or "click" sound that seems loud to me when the pad strikes the hole ridge.
The instrument is older (a few years) but was never used. Are the pads just to hard because it's a real inexpensive flute? or have they gotten stiff due to age and lack of use? Any chance they will quiet down some with consistant play? Any thing I could do other than try not to strik the keys so hard?
Thank you much for any replys.