TRADE PREFERENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22939, 18 January 1938, Page 11

TRADE PREFERENCES

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCTS PURCHASE OF INSULATORS POLICY OF POWER BOARD The policy of the Auckland ElectricPower Board to support New Zealand industry in purchasing insulators wherever costs were not excessive in comparison with stocks imported from England was expressed at a meeting of the board yesterday. It was explained that it was only a question of cost that prevented the New Zealand article from gaining preference always. A letter from the Department of Industries and Commerce, urging internal trade reciprocity and co-opera-tion in support of New Zealand products, pointed out that out of 36,900 insulators purchased last year the board bought 19,000 from overseas. Inquiries made from other boards showed that New Zealand insulators were entirely satisfactory, and the hope was expressed that the board would extend its preference for Dominion products. The chairman of the board, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, said the board purchased 10,500 insulators from England last July. The tender from the New Zealand company was £1579, compared with £1124 from the English firm, a difference of £455, or 45 per cent, even after a gradual increase of 25 per cent in the cost of the imported article. "We have been using New Zealand insulators for about ten years," added Mr. Harbutt, "and they have proved satisfactory. However, I do not think we would be justified in going to the extent of supporting local industry when such a' substantial saving can be made on imported goods. Provided the difference is not great, we shall do all we can as a board to assist local manufacture."

Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the board, said the English article in practice was no better than that produced in New Zealand, except in the case of very high voltage insulators.