IMPORT REACTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23405, 22 July 1939, Page 9

IMPORT REACTION

EFFECT OF CONTROL ■* ,-A v> : ■.■ . • HOTELS LOSE BUSINESS U COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS ;/y FEWER NOW ON ROAD The widespread effects of the import restrictions are shown by a marked''-f falling off in an important section of the residential business being felt by £ many Auckland hotels. Since the re-V_' strictions were imposed, and of recent months, there has been a.-"*, steady decline in the number of comrncrcial travellers staying at most hotels":;" and the visits of those still on the road - have become shorter. . " • ; ; y.

The manager of one hotel said .that '•* in the past travellers representing im-ili, porting firms usually received ..allow--j r ances which enabled them to the prestige of their lines by staying at the better class hotels. With the—; coming of import restrictions those who- ? still travelled had in many cases had -,\ their allowances reduced. Consequently ; |; they were seeking cheaper tion, so that the dearer hotels particu- •? larly wore noticing the change. C«« Fewer Overseas Visitors In addition to firms which had closed, others were finding it no longer neces-; sary to send travellers out in order to dispose of their import quotas. Travellers still operating were making less frequent visits and often spent only two-:* or three days in the city instead of fortnight. Hotels which cater for representatives who pay regular visits to New Zealand :' on behalf of large overseas firms are'j,. feeling the effect of the new condition?-,.;} severely. The manager of a leading hotel said yesterday that at this time of the year considerable numbers of;'?' directors or representatives of large manufacturing firms usually visited the Dominion, making new business contacts and arranging for the new season and the Christmas trade. At presentV£ there was not one in the hotel. , :i More Buyers from Other Towns '.t

The winter is the off season for most classes of hotel visitors, and the commercial trade is usually a mainstay,.'}; during this time, so that the decline is. being severely felt at present. _ } At some hotels, however, it was". T reported that a certain amount of com-;, pensation was being gained from an / increase in the number of buyers fripm stores in other centres visiting the city/ in search of stocks in warehouses. Tho." growing shortage of some goods liadl.~ made firms anxious to secure any stocks possible, and they were sending far ;f more buyers to the city to seek supplies •- than in the past. At one time no.fewer f than nine buyers from branches' of tho ' same firm in different towns had been at the hotel.