FOREIGN COMPANIES

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 69, 21 March 1918, Page 4

FOREIGN COMPANIES

OPERATING IN NEW ZEALAND.

An important proposal was made by Mr. C. J. Ward at the meeting of the Industrial Corporation yesterday, when he moved the following Wellington remit :—

"That the Government be urged to pass legislation which will prohibit the commencement of operations of any company in New Zealand where the

company or proposed oompany is a

branch or agency or dummy of any 'trust,' British or otherwise, End where it can bo shown that: (1) Existing New Zealand companies are capable of catering for the Dominion trade, and are (2) supplying an article equal to the world's standard in quality and .price."

Speaking on _ the motion, Mr. Ward said that if, after the war, New Zealand was to be made the dumping ground for foreign companies, it would mean the destruction of a, good many companies which had been formed since the outbreak of the war and consisted wholly of New Zealand capital. To prevent that

some such proposal as he put forward would have to be brought into operation. Mr. Viokerman seconded the motion. New Zealanders had, he said, started industries of which we would be proud in years to come, and they should be protected from foreign invasieE-

Mr. Dearsley asked whether it was proposed to deal with companies that were supposed to be now doing what Mr. Ward desired tj T>reYer.j,

Mr. Ward replied that his only object was to protect our industries. It was decided to consider the matter in committee.