N.Z. TRADE BAROMETER

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29803, 21 April 1962, Page 10

N.Z. TRADE BAROMETER

Joint Surveys Planned

The New Zealand Manufacturers’ and Retailers' Federations are to combine in making periodic surveys of selected members to provide up-to-date “state of business” statistics, according to the secretary of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr R. T. Alston’. The survey of a cross-sec-tion of members of both organisations, to give a good coverage of all types and sizes of industries and retailing establishments, would give an “on-the-spot” barometer of the level of trading in New Zealand, Mr Alston said. “Both federations agree that the Government in the past has acted on statistics, supplied from Government departments, which are several months out of date.” he said.

“It had been observed in some instances that the Government's figures and the retailers' figures on trading levels have differed. The object of the cross-section surveys in manufacturing and retailing businesses is to provide figures,- which will be nearer to the actual position at any given time than those available from departmental sources, on which to base an assessment on the level of trade.” Mr Alston said. He said that the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association had conducted a “pilot” survey amongst a cross-section of its members towards the end of last year. The survey, at the time, showed a slackening of demand in severti types of industry.