NEW ZEALAND-MADE RADIO SETS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 92, 12 January 1939, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND-MADE RADIO SETS

Development Of Industry

MANUFACTURER’S HOPES FOR FUTURE

Confidence that, if the import control regulations remained in force, he would, within 12 months, be able to enlarge bis factory Io employ at least lot) additional hands, was expressed by the head of a radio mniinf.-ichn'ing firm in Wellington yesterday. '

“Up till now," he said. “New Zea . laud manufacturers have had 45 per cent, of the radio market, and, if the import regulations are not merely a, temporary expedient, it seems sale to assume that they will in future have a much larger share.” Local manufacturers had for some time felt that they were in the position of a Cinderella 'among the secondary industries, because they had to com pete for the market against English radio sets coming into tlie country duty free. Nevertheless, they had been able to survive, and this, they felt, showed that the industry was a sound one. They honestly believed that locallymade sets were more suited for New Zealand conditions Ilian any imported ones; the greatest difficulty with which they had to contend was not tlie production of a good article al the right price, but public prejudice. “it will probably be about six months before tlie effect of the restriction of imports is felt, by manufacturers, hut within 12 mouths I expect that our firm alone will be able to enlarge its factory to employ at least 100 additional hands,” said the manager. “At present we employ 140 hands in our factory, where practically all radio parts are made; if is not. merely a matter of assembling imported parts.’ lie added that, with the extension tY business, the public would .reap , the benefit of reduced prices. There was ample protection against exploitation, iu that, there were 20 different manufacturers competing against each other in New Zealand

BASIS OF IMPORT REGULATIONS

“Confidential In Meanwhile”

In a telegram sent to tlie president of rhe Auckland Importers’ Association, the Minister oi Customs,. Mr Nash, expresses regret that information on the basis employed in issuing import licences must in I lie mean while remain confidential. Further consideration will be given applications where special circumstances arc shown to exist. tlie Minister states. The importers sought the following information from the Minister: tl) Tlie list of British goods you have prohibited, British goods partially prohibited and British goods the importii tion of which will not. be interferes with; (2) ditto Empire goods: (3> ditto foreign goods. SPACE CANCELLED Centennial Exhibition “I have been forced to cancel my space at the Centennial Exhibition because I now have nothing to show,” said the general manager of one of the principal New Zealand importers of washing machines, refrigerators and radio receiving sets yesterday. “I know of at least two other firms in Wellington that have cancelled their space for a similar reason,” he added. This man said that his supplies of British radios had been cut by 75 per cent, compared with the quantity imported during tlie first six months of last year, and he considered that would be a fair estimate of the treatment being given to radio importations generally. American radio receivers had been cut out completely and radiogramophones had been reduced by 75 per cent. American refrigerators had been reduced by -10 per cent. and. American washing machines had been completely banned.