CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 288, 2 November 1934, Page 14

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT. PARTICIPATION IN BUSINESS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1. At the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce today, the preferential margin given in New Zealand’s tariff schedule to Great, Britain over foreign countries was criticised by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce representatives in a remit. The main contention was that New Zealand was not in a position for tariff bargaining and was provoking foreign reprisals by the present policy, at a time when everything should be done to cause expansion of markets for New Zealand’s primary produce. The remit was defeated by a large majority after a long debate, the majority of the speakers favouring support for the Government’s scheme of bargaining on the basis of present tariffs and reciprocal trade.

A remit was carried unanimously deprecating continued interference by tile Government in business, and tbe continuation and extension of competition by the State and local bodies with established private business. The remit mentioned specifically the fixation of the price of superphosphate, the restriction of trading activities under the new marketing regulations of the Dairy Board, the extension of the scope of the mortgagors’ and tenants’ relief legislation by the Act of 1933, competitive tendering by the Government Printing Office for business, the creation of a buying department at the High Commissioner’s Office, and the erection of buildings by the Government and local bodies in excess of their needs, providing surplus accommodation for letting.