N.Z.’S “AUSTERITY” CROCKERY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25736, 23 February 1949, Page 6

N.Z.’S “AUSTERITY” CROCKERY

RETAILERS CONCERNED AT PRICE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS CRITICISED From Our Own Reporter TIMARU, February 22. “The public may expect poor quality and high-priced crockery if the Government persists in its present import policy,” says a statement released by the annual conference of the New Zealand Retailers’ Federation. By refusing to allow reasonable imports during 1949, continues the statement, the Government has granted a monopoly to two local manufacturers. Licences are being granted this year on the basis of 50 per cent, of 1948 imports, which is the equivalent of 25 per cent, of 1938 imports. On present-day costs the licences being granted will enable the purchase of eight dozen cups and saucers for every 100 dozen in 1938. “This federation feels that the Government has fostered the local industry to the point where, if the protection is continued, the public must reconcile itself to having austerity crockery in the future. This statement is substantiated by the manufacturers’ admission that they can now produce 75 per cent, of the Dominion’s requirements of earthenware. The federation fully recognises the rights of the Dominion’s industries, but it maintains that the Government has no right to grant a virtual monopoly which will result in the public’s having access only to austerity crockery, when better quality articles are available from Britain in a wider range and at prices lower than the locallyproduced articles. “Not only are the New Zealand manufacturers content to offer the public austerity articles only, but they now want to increase the tariff to 20 per cent., and thus increase the cost to the public of the limited imports now allowable from Britain. The federation considers that the public is entitled to know the seriousness of the present position and proposes to publicise the facts.”