Trade-Aid

Press, 18 December 1976, Page 14

Trade-Aid

Sir, — I was distressed to read that, our Government had refused Trade-Aid (N.Z.) Inc., a licence to import Indian sandals and so deprived 120 Indian families of their livelihood. The few hundred pairs of sandals involved annually have surely made little impact on our total domestic market. There may have been an infinitesimal drop in certain manufacturers’ profits but no hardship to any New Zealander through their availability. Local manufacturers and others affected deserve consideration, but criteria are certainly cock-eyed when the effect on them is considered in isolation from the welfare of the producers. Had the Government advocated increased payment to Indian craftsmen, so helping both sides — an unheard of solution within our economic system — or even imposed both tariff and sales tax in the interest of complaining manufacturers, such decision would not have involved gross injustice. Is exercise of all moral responsibility to be. dismissed as outmoded? — Yours, etc., JOY JOHNSTON. Hokitika. December 17, 1976. Sir, — Having purchased several pairs of Indian leather sandals for family and friends, 1 read with concern (December 15) that the Government has refused Trade Aid (N.Z.) Ltd their import licence. I am disappointed at this because I am not convinced that this relatively small import affects the domestic market, as suggested, when nothing comparable is produced by New Zealand manufacturers. More important, this decision deprives 120 Indian families of their sole source of income. An Auckland importer imports a similar sandal produced by an In* dian commercial company; this suggests that commercial enterprise and profit come before p'eople and their needs. When a further application is made, the Department of Trade and Industry should reconsider its decision. — Yours, etc., COLLEEN COSTELLO. Hawarden. December 17, 1976.

Sir, — Last week the director of the Economic Research Institute said the Government should apply import controls, 1 heartily

agree. But when,* the Government decides to leave untouched luxury imports from rich countries such as Californian grapes, while clamping down on $3OOO worth of children’s sandals made by the poor of . India, it is plain that we are ruled by men who are either thoughtless, or inhumane. I was glad to see the National Party win the election. I now think we are bound to pray that destiny will someday deliver us from rule by the kind of men who want to stamp out the-Trade-Aid movement. — Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER, i December 17, 1976.