PROMOTION OF TRADE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 30, 4 August 1923, Page 8

PROMOTION OF TRADE.

£' Promotion of sale of New Zealand manufactures in local and outside marlets, £20," was an item in the Industries and Commerce Department's estimates which roused the Liberal opposition in the House of Representatives yesterday to caustic comment. The first to notice the item was Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurnnui), who gravely relieved the Government of any suggestion of extravagance over this particular business, though he ended by expressing some daubt about the results which could be obtained from the expenditure of £20 on so comprehensive an object. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M Wilford) caustically advised the Minister of Commerce to concentrate his efforts in connection with the £20. He might ignore outside markets and keep the money for inside the Dominion instead of trying to cover the whble .world. " Why not cover Dunedin for a start," he advised, " or why not try one side of a street? If anyone requires positive evidence of the feeling of the Government towards New Zealand manufacturers, they have it here.',' He moved to reduce the vote by £5 as an indication that the amount was quite useless for the purpose. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. W. Downi c Stewart) did not attempt to justify the vote as a serious one. It was simply, he said, to keep the subject alive, because it was hoped ultimately to have offices in the different centres, with samples and exhibitions for the promotion of the sale ot .New Zealand manufactures. The Department had not yet had an opportunity of doing anything, but it was cooperating with New Zealand manufac-

turers in the collection of suitable exhibits for the British Empire Exhibition.

Mr. Wilford: " Was the £4 expended last year applied to opening up of trade with the East?"

The Minister: "Probably it was a minor item in connection with some industrial exhibition."

The matter did not go to a division because news arrived of the death of President Harding, and the amendment was at once withdrawn by Mr. Wilford, so that the business could be instantly concluded.