REPLY TO CRITICS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 10

REPLY TO CRITICS

EFFICIENCY ACT t —

NO PROOF, SAYS MINISTER

BLENHEIM, Friday. Commenting on the criticism i directed against the Industrial Efficiency Act by the Auckland Chamber I of Commerce, the Minister of Indus-, tries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said to-day that it would he observed that the criticism came not from the manufacturers of New Zealand or their workers, but from the importing interests hostile to New Zealand industry. "The statement contains nothing specific, nothing concrete, nothing to catch hold of." said the Minister. "One wild assertion is that 'under tlie Industrial Efficiency Act and the import licensing system abuses in production, marketing and distribution are being permitted which are little short of a public scandal.' Not a jot of evidence-—just a wild statement quite worthless, and one which should be beneath the dignity of a responsible body. "The statement also adds that 'the chamber has received reports of maladministration of the Act.' Again there is no evidence. Who are they accusing? From whom has the Chamber of Commerce obtained all this information about this allegedly dreadful state of affairs? Have they asked the manufacturers, who are doing a splendid job in the war effort? "The chamber criticises the Bureau of Industry. Let me remind it that there are two manufacturers on the bureau and two representatives of farmers. Does the chamber accuse the manufacturers, the farmers, the Government or the public service of malpractice? If so, let it be precise and say so in plain and unmistakable terms. "Again, has the chamber consulted the licensed industries? Probably not, because all those industries which have been brought under the Industrial Efficiency Act have made the request themselves. "The statement says that 'in many cases prices for goods produced by licensed industries are substantially higher and at times for inferior quality articles,'" continued the Minister. "In reply to this I would merely say that it is recognised that New Zealand has done more to effectively control prices than most other countries, and the success that has resulted is acknowledged here and overseas and can be demonstrated by a comparison of figures. I would add, however, that the files of the Price Tribunal contain many hundreds of applications by members of Chambers of Commerce for permission to increase prices, but neither in regard to prices or quality has the Auckland chamber given a single instance or an atom of proof. "The reference to import control in the statement may supply the answer as to the reason for this illconsidered outburst. If certain importers in Auckland have felt the effect of import control, manufacturers, workers and the nation as a I whole have felt the benefit. This may have inspired the statement."