IMPORTERS AND INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22850, 25 October 1939, Page 7

IMPORTERS AND INDUSTRY

LETTER REPLYING TO DEPARTMENT

VALUE OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION

The inclusion of primary producers and importers, as well as manufacturers, in the Government’s campaign for the development of New Zealand industries is urged by Mr W. A. Boucher, president of the Bureau of Importers, Auckland, in a letter to the Department of Industries and Commerce. The letter is in reply to a circular sent to the bureau by the department, asking for co-operation in extending the industrial development campaign. “We note that it is the. desire of the Government to develop New Zealand industries, and in this connexion you have asked for suggestions for the ‘development’ of trade, for New Zealand products,” writes Mr Boucher. “We presume that butter, cheese, wool, and frozen meat are included in the category of New Zealand products and we therefore suggest that some stimulus be given to the marketing of these overseas, thereby making possible re-: ciprocal trade with the Mother Country and other countries at present importing New Zealand’s primary products. Wc ■would remind you that the secondary industries which your department is endeavouring to promote produce annually approximately £22,000,000 worth of goods while the aggregate value of our import/export trade approximates to £123,000,000. “It is therefore suggested that your department-should have printed stickers bearing a Union Jack, and having as a slogan ‘Buy British goods and stimulate New Zealand’s chief industries.’ Such action would undoubtedly result in a promotion of better feeling between Great Britain and this Dominion, and no doubt our export trade would increase to such an extent that our present sterling funds would recover in a very short space of time, thereby permitting the resumption of normal trade relationships with the Mother Country. “In view of the fact that New Zealand’s secondary industries are being freely advertised on the railways it is suggested that the primary producers and importers might be accorded similar concessions by being allowed to use the Government’s road transport lorries for advertising purposes. The taxpayers’ money is to, be spent and it seems equitable that every section of the community should share in the distribution. ■ . . •

“In this connexion this organisation begs to offer its co-operation and would be glad to submit more concrete proposals to your department which, it is assumed, is just as interested in the commercial side as it is in the industrial.” -