IMPORTED REFLECTOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21533, 3 July 1933, Page 10

IMPORTED REFLECTOR

" ARTIFICIAL DAYLIGHT " COST IN NEW ZEALAND CRITICISM BY COMMISSION % [iiv ti:i.i:<;hai'U—ow.v conrespondent] WELLINGTON. Saturday The assertion that the price charged for a reflector, which, it is claimed, reproduces tho characteristics of daylight, was excessive was made by members of the Tarilf Commission to-day when an application was made for a reduction of the duty on these articles. Mr. \V. Luke, managing-director of George 11. Scales, Pacific, Limited, applied for the abolition of the duty of 20 per cent on daylight reflectors, which are special shades fitted over electriclight bulbs. He said it was claimed they reproduced tho characteristics of daylight artificially, and were of immense benefit to all those who had to work under electric light as they relieved strain on the eyes. On producing a sample of tho reflector, lie was asked by Professor Murphy for the price the New Zealand consumer would have to pay for the article, and lie replied 2iJs Gd. Professor Murphy: That seems to mo to be excessive. Mr. Luke said the article cost 14s Cd in England, and with (July, exchange and landing charges, there was only a nominal profit on New Zealand sales. Price in England Professor Murphy said he was not inferring that tho New Zealand agents were charging an excessive price, but the price in England was excessive, and seemed to include the goodwill and patent. Mr. Luke said that was so. If the duty were reduced tho price to the New Zealand consumer would be less, and the benefit would naturally be greater. Professor Murphy: What is it made of?

Mr. Luke: Aluminium, I think. 1 could not bo sure.

Professor Murphy: It is a bit of metal painted. 1 have no sympathy with you in the price you are charging. Mr. G. A. Pascoe. examined the reflector and said that lie thought it was made of some alloy.

Professor Murphy: The cost of production on a largo scale would be no more than 2s Gd. Mr. Luke: 1 suppose so.

Mr. Pascoe: 1 think Professor Murphy is moderate in his estimate of the.cost.

Professor Murphy: Yes, the cost would be only a few pence. Mr. Luke: If the duty wore reduced we would be able to sell it more cheaply. Mr. Pascoe: You cannot get away from the fact that it is the patent that is being paid for. Mr. Luke said it had taken years of scientific research to obtain the result given by the reflector. Professor Murphy: Yes. There is a fortune awaiting anyone who can make artificial daylight. Use at Buckingham Palace

Mr. Luke said his firm had endeavoured to bring the cost down. The reflects was being used widely by both the Government and private businesses. They were trying to get the costs down as much as possible. The reflector had been installed in Buckingham Palace and was used by His Majesty the King. Professor Murphy: Do you think that is a guarantee that the price is not excessive!''

Mr. Luke: It is a guarantee that the article is good.

Mr. J. B. Gow: Could it he manufactured in New Zealand? Mr. Luke: Xo. We have not the patent out here. Professor Murphy: The firm you represent talks about improving the public health ? Mr. Luke: Yes.

Professor Murphy: Don't you think it could bring about a greater improvement by bringing down the price? Mr.'Luke: We are trying to bring the price down. Professor Murphy: They talk a lot of palaver about conferring a benefit 011 tho community, but they are really conferring a benefit on themselves. It is an article that might stand somo revenue duty. An amateur mechanic, Professor Murphy added, could duplicate with case the model thev had before them.

Mr. Luke: It would be an infringement of the patent. Professor Murphy: I am not talking about the patent. If this sort of article was sold at a moderate price it would have a much wider sale and the turnover woidd repay them. 1 think the policy of the principal;, is grasping and short-sighted.