Importation of Radio Sets

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 11

Importation of Radio Sets

Sir,—lt is interesting, entertaining and certainly enlightening to learn (vide 'The Dominion” columns of August ol) tnat New Zealand is not benefiting (?) undulv from'the fact that we can obtain radio sets from America, manufactured under their mass-production methods. As a New Zealander, and patriotic Britisher. I am inclined to shed tears at this terrible . trade calamity. . And the reason . I quote your very candid informant: Actually this benefit (?) is offset very materially by the fact that landing charges , are exceptionally heavy. It costs the . amazing figure of 150 per cent, to land radios in New Zealand from America, mainlv because of the large amount of ; duty charged.” Well, well. My emotion overwhelms me, and my tears blind _me when I think of the gross injustice or it all particularly to the “mass manufac- •- turers” of radio sets in America, and , their suffering agents in New Zealand. Should we not assist , our unfortunate American brothers in distress: should we not turn both cheeks to the snnters . America only charges an import du.y of 75 per cent, on New Zealand butte, (reserving power to raise it to H'O per eent. should the other rate prove insufficient to block our produce), bars almost every British or New Zealand article, and even limits the number of New Zealand- ■ ers desiring to press foot on-hettreas-ured soil. And we actually have the an- > dacity to put up a tariff on American , radio sets—mass manufactured. The ; shame of it! Because our Gpvernmen., , in its wisdom, is offering some protection to British and New Zealand manutactur- , ers and is endeavouring to encourage trade within the Empire, it is to be petitioned “by leading importers and dealers throughout the Dominion (I again quote vonr informant) to do something to assist the American mass manufacturers .of radio sets, and their enterprising New Zealand agents. Again-well, well! There is no pleasing some people. The na tional (and mental) outlook of some.of them is certainly peculiar. You will have to republish some of your excellent editorials on Empire Building. How to Encourage Local Industry, How to Foster British Trade, etc. I never dreamt—until I saw your very Interesting and illuminating article—that we had such . people in a British community.—l am, ° tC "sAVE US FROM OURSELVES. Wellington. September 1.