CAPITAL FROM BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21909, 9 October 1936, Page 10

CAPITAL FROM BRITAIN

# "♦ •" 1 ‘ ■ "" ' ' Government’s Policy Unfavourable

ENGLISH BUSINESS MAN’S

QUESTION .

By question and answer Mr Leonard H. Bentall, principal of one of the largest independent retail and distributing departmental stores m England, indicated his view of one aspect of the New Zealand Government’s policy legislation. In an interview in Christchurch yesterday he showed that he believed that the Government could not reconcile its policy of levelling incomes with its desire to attract British capital - for investment in the Dominion. “Is it not the intention of the present Government to take from those who have and give to those who have not?” Mr Bentall asked, as soon as the Government’s policy was mentioned to him. “Yes, I understand so, he was answered. “Well, why does the Prime Minister say that he wants British capital for investment here?” was the reply. “Is legislation along those lines likely to attract capital?” Without generalising on the new labour legislation, Mr Bentall expressed the opinion that the 40-hour week would be seriously detrimental to the tourist industry, mentioning the experience of people who had found it impossible to have meals served at the time when they were desired. “It is just your undoing, he remarked. . ... “I have every confidence in individual effort,” Mr Bentall added. “By nationalising you eliminate individual effort, to the serious detriment of the country.” New Zealand Butter Mr Bentall said that, like other English business men, he was very anxious to do business in New Zealand. On his present trip he had already given an order for toheroas, and he was also eager to handle New Zealand honey. His store at Kingston-on-Thames already had a special department for Canadian produce, and on his return he hoped to make similar provision for New Zealand. . . . He had the highest opinion of New Zealand butter, saying that greater success had been achieved here than in Australia in providing a standard quality. “But something must be done to prevent the mixture of your butter in our country,”.he added. “If there is any mixing it must be verv limited. At present the mixing is done to the detriment of your butter.”

Publicity for New Zealand butter in the United Kingdom could be extended with great advantage, he said, as the individual stores had too scant knowledge of it. It would be worth while to him, as a distributor, to undertake publicity on his own account, and this he intended to do. At the meals which were served in a day in his store, New Zealand butter was used exclusively, apart from the quantity distributed through the food department.