Bicycle-lamp debate

Press, 27 July 1976, Page 7

Bicycle-lamp debate

High-quality batterypowered cycle lamps are unavailable in New Zealand because of import restrictions. according to some im-l porting agents. Criticism of the unavailability of adequate lamps has been expressed recently through the correspondence columns of “The Press.’’ One writer said that it was impossible to buy a reliable battery-powered lamp in | Christchurch. "Since taking up bicycle I riding three years ago. I have been plagued with; cheap. inefficient bicycle I lights,” said another. Others have bought up to; seven battery-powered tamps: in an attempt to find one that is reliable. The value of an import

licence determined how many lamps could be viably imported. said a spokesman for a local cycle-importing firm. “Because of the restric-; tions. we have to bring in a> lower-quality lamp than I otherwise.’’ the spokesman I said. This was because more, cheap lamps could be impor-' ted within the value of a licence than expensive ones. “If we brought in small, quantities of extremelv good lamps, we would not be able to supply the market adequately," the spokesman said I A Customs Department spokesman said that while! both battery-powered and dynamo-powered lamps were, subject to import licensing.! ordinary torches and dvna-j mos themselves, were not? Such lamps were classified; under “electrical lighting and, signalling equipment for cycles and motor-vehicles”; in the import licensing! schedule, he said. The Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan) is quoted in a reply to a letter to "The, Press” from T. D. Kerr as; having said that purchasers' influence product design by; their preference when buvingi goods. ;

However, in addition to the! assertions of importing! agents that lamp quality is; affected by import restric-; tions, local retailers say that; no New Zealand-made lamps) are available in Christchurch.! While retailers agree that available battery-powered lamps are of inferior quality, they differ from letter-writers

who have said that the prob-; lem extends to dynamo-I powered lamps. Available dynamo sets are of sufficient quality, they say,; but they emphasise that they; should be cared for properly.) “It is like anything else,”! said one retailer. “If you: leave a cycle out in the rain,; naturally it will rust up.” I