INTERNAL TRADE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28354, 13 August 1957, Page 10

INTERNAL TRADE

Change To Buyer’s Market

"The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, August 12. “The Government has to a large extent succeeded in changing internal trade and commerce from a seller’s to a buyer’s market,” said the president of the National Party (Mr A. McKenzie) addressing the annual conference of the party this morning. This was essential in the fight against inflation, and was very much in the interests of the consumer, a category in which everyone was included, he said. It also enforced efficiency in trade and industry, thereby reducing costs. But in efforts involving such an economic change after easy markets, a Government had to rely on the good sense and enterprise of manufacturers, importers, retailers and the employers of all three sections, in order to retain theii goodwill. Though the changing circumstances created problems, and at first caused criticism, all three sections of commerce were adjusting to the new conditions and could now budget for normal markets, and more accurately estimate or assess requirements for future demand and expansion, said Mr McKenzie.

“Our manufacturing industries,” said Mr McKenzie, “must be expanded in order to provide employment for an increasing population.” This need was so imperative that some future Government might be confronted with the necessity of affording protection for what might be termed leuer economic industries.