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TOPICS OF THE DAY

The discussion on the uneconomic' state of the meat-freezing industry at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board ended resultlessly, ,a somewhat vague motion being lost. Tho discussion raised no points that have not already been discussed in "The Post," and revealed no solu: tions. As was long ago pointed out, there are three courses open:—(1) to let things drift and let the fittest survivo; (2) to allow weak works to be sold to big oversea meat firms; (3) to bring about a merger, or several mergers, of weak works, either by persuasion or by a compelling law. The first course requiros no action. Course No. 2 ia contrary to the negative policy of a Government that so far has no positive policy. Course No. 3, in its permissive aspect, depends on, the initiative of companies who would find it hard to discover a basis of agreement; and if, on the other hand, legislative compulsory power were taken, that might bear hard on companies confident of their ability to raise fresh capital. The British coal conflict became a national crisis before the British Government decided to take power to compel amalgamations. So far tho pressure on the Now Zealand Government has not reached that intensity. The freezing situation may have to become worse before it begina to be better. * * » It would be rogrettable indeed if the valuable work done in investigating • tho problem of the feeble-minded were to be carried no further. A careful inquiry was made concerning thia question, and for two years the report presented has gathered nothing but dust. Admittedly, action is hedged around with difficulties. Public opinion must bo prepared for courses of action which are desirable, and the necessity for which is now understood only by those people who have an intimate knowledge of the subject. But delay, without action, will not lessen the difficulties. Indeed, it will tend rather to increase them by hindering the progress of public education. We are glad to hear, therefore, that the Minister of Health proposes shortly to take a definite step in furtherance of the policy submitted by the Committee of Inquiry. An export in mental treatment is to bo sent abroad to study the work done by other countries. When ho returns tho Government, with the force of his investigations abroad and the Committee's inquiry in Now Zealand to support it, shouftl lose no time in laying down a plan of action for progressive reform. » » • An admission is made by the Industrios and Commerce Committee that it has not sufficient evidence to justify recommonding additional duties on imported timbers" which are now dutiable. At the same time, the committee is of opinion that softwoods now free should be charged duty at the same xato as Douglas 'nr. This is by way of compromise. Cedar was not a competitor in this market when the tariff was framed, and was not nade subject to the same duty as Oregon. From one point of view, therefore, tho committee's recommendation may bo regarded as merely correcting an anomaly which has arisen through changed conditions of trade. It would, in our opinion, bo better to review tho whole circumstances of tho trade. This is not a business to be dono hastily or lightly. Members of Parliament who stress tho difficulties of the timber-in-dustry are looking at only ono side of the question—tho miller's side. It

is easy to Bay that not a stick of Oregon or cedar should be allowed into the Dominion; but what of the housing problem? A guarauteo may be given that present list prices of local timbers will not bo altered if imports aro barred, but if housing is now being carriod on with cheaper imported woods the cost of building must bo raised if tho uso of such woods is stopped. It may bo that present local timber prices should be revised and lowered. Tho case for more protection is not clour, and it cannot bo cloar without an authoritative and oxhaustivo investigation of the milling and merchant business. * * •

"Give a <log a bad name ami you might as well hang him" is a saying which has its application in business relationships. For many years thoro has been an impression in Dominion markets that the British manufacturer is not eager for our trade, that ho will supply our needs ii! he has tho goods, but that he will Jiofc chango his designs or his methods to humour us. This may havo boon true at ouo timo, when tho Dominion trado was small in comparison with tho foreign; but it is not true now. British manufacturers and merchants are willing and oagor to study our requirements and to meet us as far as possible This fact was omphasised by a leading British business man (Mr. M'Gregor), in his address to tho Chamber of Commerce yosterday. The fact that such men now come to New Zealand to investigate conditions for themselves is in itself proof of the new outlook. Still, the old idea dios hard. New Zealand now goes to Britain for the groater part of her imports, but the transfer of other orders now entrusted to foreigners is made very slowly. It is a duty we owe to ourselves as well as to tho United Kingdom to accept the assurance of a desiro for our trade and to give the British manufacturer every opportunity of supplying what we now buy elsowhere.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19260827.2.36

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 6

Word Count
910

TOPICS OF THE DAY Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 6