BOARD OF TRADE AIMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17663, 27 December 1920, Page 6

BOARD OF TRADE AIMS.

POLICY FOR THE FUTUHt. DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES Tho woik of tho Botrd of Trado during the past 12 months and its future aims was the subjoct of some remark* by the secretary to tbo beard, Mr. J. W. Collins, on Friday. In the course of his statement Mr. Collins said the conditions created by the abnormal trade period had disappeared the Board of Trade, or rather the Department of Industries and Commerce, would be able to turn its attention to the development of a constructive policy so far as industries in the Dominion were concerned. Mr. Collins said that New Zealand, : n common with other countries, though to a leseer degree than in the older countries 'of the world, had had troubles incidental to a demand for certain commodities, which was altogether in excess of the supply. This applied to certain essential lints 'of goods, such as s.ugar, cement, benzine, and all classes of building material. This entailed much investigation and an enormous amount of detail work throughout the Dominion by the board. Fortunately the position with regard to tho benzine supply was more reassuring thanit had been,' and practically no further trouble was anticipated in supplying 1 the demand. The position with respect to tbo supply of cement, timber, and sugar was; utill very acute, and supplies had to be rigidly allocated. It was hoped, however, that when theee tasks had been overcome the department would launch out. with a policy which would bo of material value to industries already in existence in New Zealand, and also might encourage the establMiment of other industries here. Section 22 of the Board of Trade Act gave very wide powers to the department for the suppression of methods in trading which were considered unfair or prejudicial to industries or the public welfare. , Mr. Collins said that the Hon'. E. P. Lee, president of tfv: Board of Trade, bad recently informed the Associated Chambers of Commerce that he hoped the department would be able to meet the varijnis chambers of commerce in conference' eariy in the New Year, the idea king that the department should receive n guide from this conference in the framing of regulations for the encouragment, development* and projection of trade and commerce and of the manufacturing interests of New Zealand. The most important question to receive consideration at the conference would he the revision of the Dominion's customs tariff.