A REASONABLE REQUEST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 149, 26 June 1944, Page 4

A REASONABLE REQUEST

It is suggested by the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation that Government bulk buying of raw materials will mean the accumulation of heavy stocks, and already there are indications that accumulated stocks of some goods are unbalanced as to types and qualities. This calls for an immediate investigation of the position, not only in the interests of the manufacturers (who are naturally concerned as to the effect the existence of such stocks will ha,ve on them in the future), but- for the national economy as well. At the very least, manufacturers are entitled to know the extent and the nature of the stocks held. Representations that this information should be released were made to the Government some time ago, but apparently with little or no result. When it is possible to turn from war to peace production, manufacturers will be expected to be ready to play their part, but it is obvious that they, will be greatly handicapped unless they have more exact information as to what stocks are already held in the Dominion. Without the information it will be impossible to make plans in advance, and the public, who have ,had to put up with a shortage of many articles which normally they would be entitled to regard as essential, may suffer further inconvenience.

There is a strong case, too, for a gradual return to the practice of allowing normal trading channels to handle the purchase and distribution of goods. From long experience, private business concerns have a more intimate knowledge of the requirements of the public than a Government Department, and they are better fitted to handle their distribution efficiently. The Manufacturers' Federation is not pressing for a wholesale relaxation of controls, but it is pressing, and on sound grounds, for an opportunity to function with greater freedom than is now possible. The point made by the president of the federation (Mr. Matheson) that, if heavy losses are to be averted, steps should be taken now to correct any lack of balance and obsolescence in stocks now held, has much to commend it. It is to be hoped that the request for full details of the stocks now held will not again fall on deaf ears.