STATEMENT REFUTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 19

STATEMENT REFUTED

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURERS

A recent statement by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) that Chambers of Commerce "furiously oppose every proposal to establish manufacturing industries in New Zealand" was refuted by speches at last night's meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. „„...,» The president (Mr. P. E. Tattnck) said that it was obvious that the Minister was under a serious and unfortunate misapprehension. It was foolish to think that the Chambers of Commerce would oppose the establishment of manufacturing industries in New Zealand. They all recognised the great service rendered to the country by manufacturers, who were represented on the Chambers. He was at a loss to understand how the Minister had come to make such a statement, assuming that he was correctly reported. The Minister had already been replied to by the president of the Associated Chambers (Mr. A. G. Lunn) and he did not think it necessary to carry the matter any further. Mr. M. G. C. McCaul said that the object of Chambers of Commerce had always been to preserve a balance between conflicting commercial interests. He had always regarded that as a first essential in the interests of the welfare of the country. Proposals put for- ! ward by both the primary and secI ondary industries had always received i the utmost consideration.