IMPORTERS' INTERESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 183, 4 August 1932, Page 5

IMPORTERS' INTERESTS.

NEW MOVEMENT LAUNCHED.

TO TACKLE URGENT PROBLEMS.

OPPOSED TO HIGH DUTIES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

As the result of recent meetings of representative business men, a Wellington Importers' Association has been formed, its objects being to deal with public matters, particularly those affecting the interests of importers, on broad national lines.

Various speakers at the initial meeting of the executive stressed the necessity for the association taking a longsighted and broadininded view of the various problems which come under review. It was vigorously urged that the association should take a liberal rather than a purely sectional view.

The following council was elected:— Messrs. E. Salmond, A. L. Wall, C. J. B. Norwood, Hope B. Gibbons, C. Richardson, D. A. Ewen. J. Myers, W. F. Cuthbertson, D. G. McCaul, A. D. Kerr, G. S. Amos, W. Simm, L. Whitcombe, E. A. Batt, E. W. Ackland, R. G. Euckleton, W. E. Jackson, and H. Bateson. Mr. Salmond was elected present, Mr. Wall vice-president, and Mr. T. Lisle secretary.

Mr. Salmond, in acknowledging his election, stated that there were many important problems with which the association would have to deal, particularly in regard to Customs duties, shipping and exchange. There was no justification at the present time for any increase in the exchange rate, and if the rate was increased through the action of one bank, it would be decidedly detrimental to the interests of the country generally. So far as Customs dutie's were concerned, he believed these had got out of hand, and that there was urgent need for the existing duties being reduced. Uneconomic Industries. If he correctly interpreted the views of those present, they as an association were not opposed to a certain measure of protection to worth-while secondary industries, but such tariff protection should not be excessive and it should not 'be granted to uneconomic mushroom industries. Mr. Salmond urged that in all matters the association should take a broad national view and should support that policy which it considered in •the best interests of the country. So far as the Chamber of Commerce was concerned, Mr. Salmond emphasised that the_ association did not in any way desire to impair the strength of that body. The chamber included exporters, importers., manufacturers and other sections of 'the business community, each of which already had its own individual organisation to protect its particular interests. It was now proposed to form a similar association to protect the interests of importers whilst still cooperating with the chambers of commerce.

Other speakers also urged the need for the association adopting a broadminded view on all matters and said that the activities of the association should be made Dominion wide. Dominion Body Contemplated. It was considered that an effort should be made to form a New Zealand body, and it was resolved that the association'should communicate with interested ■parties and bodies in .other centres of the Dominion, including similar associations in Dunedin and elsewhere, suggesting that a conference should be called for the purpose of forming a New Zealand Importers' Federation. The following chairmen of committees were appointed: Membership, Mr. J; Myers; Parliamentary, Mr. E. Salmond; Customs, Mr. A. D. Kerr; exchange and propaganda, Mr. H. Bateson.

It was decided that the. chairman of each committee should appoint his own members, the president and vice-presi-dent to be ex-officio members of all committees. Subscription was fixed at £2 2/ per annum, and it was decided that a general meeting of members should be called when 100 members had been enrolled for the purpose of discussing the aims and objects of the association. An emergency committee consisting of the president, vice-president and chairmen of committees was set up, and it was decided that this committee should frame a constitution for submission to the council at its next meeti ing on August 10.