THE CONSUMER'S DUE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 40, 15 August 1925, Page 6

THE CONSUMER'S DUE

Assistance towards the development and progress of the secondary industries of the Dominion is one of the statutory responsibilities of the Department. This is the opening sentence in the review of manufacturing industries of the Dominion in the highly informative report of the Department of Industries and Commerce. A mere glance at'that report will convince the reader that the Department is doing its utmost to discharge the particular responsibility. As is plainly and logically pointed out, the secondary or manufacturing industries must not "be overlooked when considering the importance of the primary products. These industries employ 77.600 persons, with an annual wages and salary bill of £14,573,000 and a production of £76,996,000. The success, of the greater number of these industries is contingent on support from the local market and service and value given to the local consumer. This fact is fully recognised by the Department; but the consumer has yet to be fully convinced that, all other things being equal, it is more advantageous to buy locallymanufactured articles than similar articles manufactured beyond the Dominion. Beading between the lines of the report, it is clear that local manufacturers have required occasional reminders from the Department that they are not treating the local consumer fairly. On this aspect of the secondary industries the report states: .

Where necessary and possible, action was taken to correct an unsatisfactory position in relation to prices, supplies, or competition.

If importing of articles already made, or that can be made, in the Dominion is to be reduced it can best be done by organised industries satisfying unorganised consumers that they are not being unfairly treated. Publicity and appeal to patriotism will avail little if the price and quality of locally-made goods are inferior to those imported.