RESTRICTIONS ON FUR TRADE
(To the Editor.)
Sir,—Might I beg a little space in your paper to express my views on the new import restrictions? I am Igoing to deal with the fur trade, of which I have an extensive knowledge. Why has this trade been chosen for such drastic measures? The new restriction means the finish of the trade as far as New Zealand is concerned, at least as long as import restrictions are imposed, and as far as the Labour Government is concerned, this means permanently. Being a pioneer in this country in the trade, I have had some very fine New Zealanders pass through my hands and they now hold responsible positions. Just "because they chose to be furriers they are in the near future to be thrown out of work. We surely are entitled to work, and it is not only we who suffer, as the majority have dependants. I estimate at a minimum this means throwing out of work some 1500 hands, who probably have no other trade to fall back on. Does the Government intend to find them alternative work, or are they expected to go on the' dole and await the pleasure of the Government before they will have the privilege of working for their. living? This trade is not today considered a luxury but a necessity, and it has the proud record which other trades would do well to copy, that it can cope with all the country's requirements and is doing so without any outside help; Yet it is only a few years ago when practically every article was imported. I have heard that licences that were issued for the second half of this year have since been cancelled, and I believe the employers were . holding back on these to try to keep their staffs going over the slack period in order to cope with the season's rush. This is a democratic country, and when, orders are issued they should be carried out. The employers, I must say, are doing their best inasmuch as though the- trade is at its slack period. I do not know of any worker who has been put off, though there would be reason for doing so. The future is far from pleasant.—l am, etc.,
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 105, 31 October 1939, Page 8
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379RESTRICTIONS ON FUR TRADE Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 105, 31 October 1939, Page 8
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