HISTORY OF A WHITE ELEPHANT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 63, 11 September 1943, Page 5

HISTORY OF A WHITE ELEPHANT

•In February, 1937, the business of Picot Brothers, Wellington, was acquired 'by the Government. Cost: £65,000, including £19,000 for goodwill arid £5000 as a guarantee against the loss of book debts, which the vendors were still empowered to collect! Mr. F. R. Picot then took charge of the Internal Marketing Division. Salary: £2000 a year. Subsequently the Department erected a building of its own in Auckland. Cost: £140,000. These are some—but only some—of the new costs.which have had to be borne by producers and .consumers. The~Department controls imported oranges, lemons,. grapefruit, pineapples, bananas, kumeras > (imported), butter, cheese, raspberries (of which it gets plenty!), barley, maize, potatoes, onions, apples, pears, honey, , eggs. Practically everything it has handled has become dearer and scarcer, with, irritation and annoyance to :both producers and consumers. Get rid of this costly and parasitical' Department. Vote for intelligent ; and efficient marketing methods. Vote National. — Advt. .:. ■;..- .-..■. ■ ■■~:.. ;■■:-. .-.. ;.