WHAKATANE PAPER MILLS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22921, 18 January 1940, Page 6

WHAKATANE PAPER MILLS

GOVERNMENT ACTION QUESTIONED ISSUE OF LICENCES TO IMPORT CPEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGKA-tf.) ROTORUA, January 17. "Is the New Zealand Government giving the Whakatane Paper Mills, Ltd., a square deal?" This question was raised by Mr H. H. Horrocks, managing director of the company, in an interview to-day. Mr Horrocks stated that he was reliably informed that the Government was issuing licences for further importations of cardboard.

"This is notwithstanding the fact that the Whakatane paper mills, pending tfie public inquiry promised by the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), is fulfilling orders at the price and on the terms fixed by the Government Price Tribunal," said Mr Horrocks. "As importers of goods are being rationed in sterling on the grounds of national economy, the public of New Zealand can conserve the sterling demand to the extent of at least £300,000 a year if the Whakatane mills are allowed to continue operations." Mr Horrocks submits that the latest development is designed to cripple the Whakatane Paper Mills' . .operations at the expense of those people who are unable to secure sterling and at the expense of the Whakatane Mills' shareholders. "Our shareholders," said Mr Horrocks, "are good fighters, and only ask for a square deal under the existing conditions. For the Price Tri- , bunal to peg prices and figures, showing losses under existing wages and awards, and then, because of the absence of any protecting tariff, to give the boxmakers licences to import certain, boards at a figure below the New Zealand cost of production, is denying the industry the right to exist. "This action is extremely difficult... to reconcile with the oft-repeated statements of the Prime Minister that the Government is giving encouragement to the development of New Zealand industry," he added,.