CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 14 October 1941, Page 4

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

REMITS FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE STATE CONTROL AND SUBSIDIES Three remits dealing respectively with the effects of State control, Gov- ' eminent subsidies and the operation of ■ thj Industrial Efficiency Act ai\ to be submitted to the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, to be held in Invercargill on 6th and 7th November. They That this conference expresses its 1 grave concern at the extent to which industry and commerce are being progressively fettered by State regulations and control. It strongly urges on the Government the need for greater freedom of internal trade as an essential supporting factor for both a maximum contribution to the Empire's war effort and a means of ensuring the highest degree of efficiency in industry and commerce, to the benefit of the Dominion as a whole. — Auckland. That this conference is of opinion that tho Industrial Efficiency Act 1P36, should be amended to provide for itl) adequate and not minority representation of industry on the bureau, and on any industrial committee operating under the Act; and (2) any industry or member thereof to have the right of appeal to an independent tribunal against being gazetted ns a licensed industry or against any decision of the bureau. —Wellington. That this conference draws attention to the continued increase in taxation caused by a policy of subsidising commodities in order to keep down the cost to the consumer; it considers that the position thus created is a false oil'.- and that it is better to let prices find their own level than to hoodwink th public by imposing extra taxation to prevent an increase in prices. It considers further that the taxation is ; costly to collect, and that it results in an increase in living costs.—Hamilton.