IMPORT RESTRICTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 263, 4 October 1940, Page 2

IMPORT RESTRICTION.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Recently in the “Manawatu Standard” appeared, a criticism by a leading business man on the imports, in which he is reported to have said that wholesale grocers and liquor men remained about the same as tar as their businesses were concerned, itiat, seems to me an amazing thing, with respect to the liquor men, whilst the very things that business men ®F e needing to-day to carry on decently with are withheld. Later we are told that even toys are prohibited . Ibe child may not have even las Christmas toy unless it is made in New Zealand; and had it been from the standpoint of secondary industries there might have been something to say for it, but when at the same time whiskey dealers can have all they want, it certainly is amazing. Let your readers note‘that in the five months to May last sterling could be found to bring in £164,000 worth of whiskey. Surely the folk trading in other businesses have a right to expect something bet ter. Note again. During the same live months two million pounds less or motor cars and 17 million gallons less o f motor spirit were imported, is it any wonder a petition to the Government is being signed? There were employed in the brewing industry last year 1168 people, but in the motor trade 10,289. Yet the liquor men have more than a full swing, and the motor men cfipoled and cramped at every turn. IVhy do not the Chambers ot Commerce take the matter in hand. There can he no' doubt that the furnishing men are suffering and also the drapers, other trades, and the paper men. Why if we go shopping to-day we possibly have to take our goods home in ail old newspaper that has been stored up in somebody’s back room ror 30. years— Yours, fj.Z A.