TRADE RIVALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 8

TRADE RIVALS.

DOMINION MARKET. NO GROUND FOR FEAR, WARNING BY MR. SAVAGE. ADVICE TO IMPORTERS, (By Telcgrapl).—Parliamentary Reporter.)-" WELLINGTON, this day. An emphatic declaration tliat the flooding of tlie New Zealand markets with the products of cheap labour from overseas would not be tolerated, was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in an interview today, after ho had received a private deputation from the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation. Mr Savage said that there need be no fetir or panic in the minds of representatives of legitimate manufacturing industries. The Government would not allow the doors of any New Zealand factories to be closed, nor would it acquiesce 711 the loss of any legitimate business which was now being done by the representatives of overseas firms. The Prime Minister said that representatives of the Manufacturers' Federation were concerned about the position of manufacturers in respect of the increased costs due to shorter hours and higher rates of pay, avul they were also afraid of orders going overseas to their disadvantage. They had admitted quite frankly that some orders must go overseas, as New Zealand had to exchange goods with Britain. Asking for "A.Fair Run." "They are asking for a fair run," said Mr. Savage, "and I have assured them that the importer has 110 more guarantee of being able to get his landed cost in respect of things he is bringing here than the manufacturer has of collecting his manufacturing costs. Our job is to protect the manufacturer in New Zealand, and at the same time balance our trade with Britain.

"The manufacturers think that ultimately the New Zealand market will be swamped with imported goods and the local manufacturer put out of business. I told tliem that would not happen. We are pledged not only to the manufacturers, but to the people of New Zealand, to see that there is a substantial development in secondary industries. We are pledged to that, and we are not going- to do anything less. It is just as well for the people sending large orders abroad to know that we are not going to allow unlimited imports to break down the living conditions of the people of New Zealand. "In effect, the importer cannot expect, and will not be allowed to get, any advantage out of reduced hours and increased wages."