GOVERNMENT PRINTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 14

GOVERNMENT PRINTING

PROTEST AT EXTENSION BUSINESS MEN'S CRITICISM Further protest against the intention of the Government Printing Department to extend its operations in competition with private enterprise was made at yesterday's meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, when approval was given of a letter sent by the president, Mr. A. G. Lunn, to the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes. "The Government Printing Office is virtually in the position of a monopolist as regards Government publications, and apparently can make any charge it deems proper —so that the department's costs are not so keenly scrutinised as similar costs must be by private firms in competition," stated the letter. "Therefore, as a monopolist the Government Printing Office would be a most formidable competitor to tho private trader, even if it did not enjoy the additional advantage of not having to meet several taxation charges imposed on private traders. This substantial advantage, coupled with the monopoly, would operate virtually to eliminate tho private trader as regards the educational trade. I am convinced you will find th<» most serious opposition from the traders concerned if tho Government adheres to its decision, and I would respectfully urge reconsideration of the matter."

In reply to a previous protest by the council, the Prime Minister stated the representations had been carefully considered and the position reviewed, but it was not possible to depart from the decision already made. "I desire to assure you that all quotations given by the Government Printing Office for supplies for education boards, secondary school boards, technical college boards and university college councils will provide an adequate margin and conform to the approved ethics of the trade both as to quality and price, and that there will be no unfair competition," Mr. Forbes stated.