EXPORT OF BLANKETS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1510, 9 March 1920, Page 4

EXPORT OF BLANKETS.

A correspondent in to-day's issue draws attention to the circumstance that, while there is an acute shortage of blankets in New Zealand, there is no State restriction on the export of these necessary articles. He suggests that the manufacturers should be forced to supply .our own needs first. Tn this matter we are up against the law of supply arid demand. The blanket makers, like everybody else, are out after a maximum of profit. They apparently find that this is to be obtained in outside markets. If they were forced to supply home needs first, they would be entitled to adjust their prices to secure this maximum. This would probably react very severely upon the average citizen, already very restive about the problem of making ends meet, and keeping a shelter over his head. This is only onet of the many problems with which we are faced. The export of blankets brings good money in for the export of more blankets, and, as New Zealanders cannot live by eating all their own fat and taking in one another's washing, the export of blankets is commendable. But, on the other hand, local people will be ill-con-soled by listening to the chink of money flow'ng into their neighbour's pockets if they lie shivering in lied. National prosperity is 7:r;tional prosperity only when it provides the greatest good for the greatest number. The question in this case is what is the greatest good! Shall we forfeit our inarkots and cover our population with our own wool, or export our blankets, and cover our shivering frames in expensive imported shoddy? The situation may not be as bad as this, but our correspondent certainly speaks feelingly.