PAPER BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 10, 12 January 1940, Page 4

PAPER BOARD.

LOCAL SUPPLIES.

IMPORTERS CONCERNED.

THE WHAKATANE DISPUTE.

The friction which has arisen between the Whakatane Paper Mills and the Government has aroused the concern of the Bureau of Importers, according to a statement made to-day.

"Whilst we do not wish, or intend, to become involved in what appears to be a difference of opinion between the chairman of directors of the Whakatane Paper Mills and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, we nevertheless do view with concern, the position which has arisen," stated Mr. W. A. Boucher, president of the bureau, this morning.

"Paper board is a prohibited import," he added, "and in view of this it was not unreasonable to expect that the Whakatane Paper Mills .would have maintained adequate supplies for local requirements. The difficulties which have now come about following the negotiations with the Price Investigation Tribunal have resulted in a stoppage of supplies, and this is causing considerable hardship to very many firms to-day.

"We Appreciate the company's objection to secret reports and secret committee*, as importers have had v«ry bitter experiences of their operations. 'Hie idea of condemning a man without a fair and open trial is contrary to the basic principles of British justice, and for this reason we support the Whakatane Paper Mills' attempt to secure a public inquiry. In the event of this being granted we would suggest that the inquiry broaden its scope to include business firms and individuals who have met with similar treatment to that which has been meted out to Mr. Horrocks by Government officials."