SALES SUBSIDY PLAN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21805, 10 June 1936, Page 8

SALES SUBSIDY PLAN

DETAILS OF NEW ASSOCIATION

REPLY TO MR G. LAWN’S COMPLAINT

How the organisation known as the Sales Subsidy Association came to be formed was told to “The Press” yesterday in a statement issued by the association. A reply to the protest of Mr G. Lawn, lecturer in economics at Canterbury University College, against methods which he said had been used by the association to employ his name in furtherance of its objects, was made at the same time. The statement was issued for the association by Mr L. G. Gregory, one of the Dominion organisers, who is now in Christchurch from the North Island to form a branch of the association, and it was endorsed by Mrs Chrissie Smith, the national secretary and Mr F. W. Stevens, president of the Christchurch branch.

In an interview with “The Press,” published yesterday, Mr Lawn complained about a folder issued by the association with the following words, purporting to be a statement by him, appended; “I think it is an excellent idea.” Mr Lawn denied having any connexion with the Sales Subsidy Association, and said he did not endorse its aims, its objects, its policy, or its methods. :

Before answering this complaint by Mr Lawn, Mr Gregory, in his statement yesterday, told how the association had been started. A group of business men in Auckland and other parts of the North Island had founded it, he said, in an effort “to find a common basis for business men to work from and to put constructive suggestions to the Government.” After much discussion, advocacy of a sales subsidy had been unanimously chosen as the best basis to work from and a resolution was passed to organise an association of business men to present the case for a subsidy to the Government. Meeting With Mr Lawn When the time came to form a branch of the association in Christchurch, the organisers had followed their usual practice of interviewing leading business men and presenting their credentials. Some of those approached had asked whether the idea had been placed before Mr Lawn. The organisers replied that they were willing to interview Mr Lawn, and accordingly made arrangements immediately to meet him. “We called on Mr Lawn on the evening of May 25 and Mr Lawn did not oppose the idea in any way," the statement continued, “F’s questions dealt entirely with its machinery. When Mr Lawn was asked for a general opinion which could be referred to, the business men behind the association (certain names being mentioned) he definitely made the statement quoted and offered to assist in any way. In fact, he was so favourable to the idea that he was communicated with by telephone the next day and asked to become a member of the local executive. This he could not consent to do, because the details of the scheme were not. complete. He still offered his services in the final drafting of the machinery, but this, of course, would be the business of the Crown • Law Draftsman after the idea had been accepted by the Government.” North Island Executives

Asked who the North Island business men behind the association were. Mr Gregory gave the following names: Auckland executive. Mr W. B. Darlow (president), leather goods manufacturer and a member of several local bodies; Mr Kenneth Eady, of Eady’s, Ltd., music importers; Mr E. E. Kitchener. of the K.K. Footwear Stores, and president of the Karangahape Road Business Men’s Association; Mr S. Ward, managing director of Ward and Company, clothing manufacturers; and Mr C. E. Ormiston, a director of tl.j Pukemiro, Renown, and other collieries. Palmerston North executive: The Mayor. Mr A. E. Mansfqrd, president. Napier executive: Mr W. E. Northe, of W. E. Northe and Company, contractors, president. Branches were being formed in Wellington, Wanganui, Hastings, and every other town of any size. The trust funds for the South Island were to be held by Stewart, Beckett and Company, public accountants, of Christchurch, and those for the North Island by Mr Austin Goss, a qualified accountant, of Auckland.

“REMARKS OUT OF THEIR CONTEXT”

MR LAWN’S REPLY TO MR

STEVENS

“I can only reiterate that the statenent on the folder was used without ny knowledge, consent, or approval,” >aid Mr G. Lawn, lecturer in ecolomics at Canterbury University Colege, when the reply made by Mr F. Y. Stevens, president of the Christ:hurch branch of the Sales Subsidy Association, was referred to him yes:erday. “I do not endorse the organisation in any way, and strongly ■esent that my name should be used. “At no time during the short, iniormal discussion that we had did I lave any indication lhat they would ;ake any part of my remarks out of :heir context and without my knowbdge and consent to use them in support of their propaganda.”