FREE ENTERPRISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25347, 31 October 1945, Page 9

FREE ENTERPRISE

THREAT FROM STATE "CLOAK OF CLASS HATRED" COMMERCE LEADER'S _CONCERN (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday "The main ideal of our organisation is the advancement and development of the cause of free, independent and private enterprise. In recent years, however, this idea has been obscured by a certain false glamour that has, in many people's eyes, surrounded the advocacy of the doctrine of State control," said Mr J. B. Stewart, of Auckland, in his presidential address to the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, which was opened today. "I cannot too strongly impress upon members the danger that exists and the necessity for continued and increasing action," Mr Stewart said. He added that the system of State control was being imposed upon practically the whole of New Zealand's life and its sustenance was obtained under the cloak of class hatred and distrust. From the utterances of those who actually had political motives in view, it had been fashionable in certain quarters to denounce free enterprise and capitalism, but instead of these being enemies of the people it was shown that they were great allies of the United Nations at war. It was the savings of the people, capitalists great and small, that provided the wherewithal to win the war. Tyranny Over People State control meant the institution of large-scale State planning, which, by its application, exerted tyranny over the lives and industry of the people, Mr Stewart continued. It was a cold and impersonal thing, working along mechanical lines without taking into account the rights of the peiaple. It operated completely against initiative and individuality.

Mr Stewart said that speakers had stated recently that there was a place for private enterprise, but they immediately thereafter began to qualify it by saying that it would operate within the framework created by the State. "A very insidious piece of propaganda," he added. Mr Stewart spoke of the principles essential to freedom of enterprise, among them being equality of opportunity, equality under the law, reward for initiative, privilege for thrift, a tax structure encouraging incentive and risk, restriction of monopoly, abstinence of the Government from competition with private business, and freedom of production and sale. Maximum Work aiid Wages Other essentials were the equitable distribution of profits, with the consumer's and labour's interests safeguarded to the end that more and more things might be supplied to more and more people, thereby producing the maximum of employment at the highest level of wages; further, government under a law that would provide encouragement to business through an economic atmosphere in accordance with the principles stated. "It is difficult to speak with restraint of the position as it exists," Mr Stewart concluded, "but we have a country, we have men, we still have in large proportion of our people realisation of the need for hard work, thrift, and sacrificed We must regain the moral standard of our forefathers, with strict adherence to the tenets of their faith. Then, with complete co-ordination of these and a policy of free, untrammelled enterprise, there would be reward_ for the ambition and initiative of the individual and protection for those unable to protect themselves."

REFUND OF COMMISSION AGENT'S SCALE DISALLOWED FAILURE TO PROVE CONTRACT (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday Reserved judgment has been given by Mr W. H. Freeman. S.M., in a case heard at Otorohanga in which Frank Albert Loft and Ena Amelia Loft, private hotelkeepers, Otorohanga (Sir Poeock), claimed a refund of commission alleged to have been overcharged bv the defendant, F. Kav-Stratton, land agent, Auckland (Mr Norrie), in connection with the sale of a private hotel at Otorohanga. Mr Freeman said the plaintiffs wrote to five Auckland land agents telling them they desired to sell the hotel and asking them to state what the commission would be. The defendant was the only one whose reply did not indicate the commission. Mrs Loft, who conducted the business, assumed that defendant's commission would be tlie same as the others. The magistrate said that xinless there was a special agreement varying the rates, then the usual rates could be said to be payable. The business was sold for £3OOO with a £250 deposit and defendant deducted £]6o, being 10 per cent on the first £2OO and 5 per cent on the balance. He said these rates were in accordance with those charged by Auckland agents for business sales. The commission ra;tes of the Real Estate Institute, of whidi defendant was a member, provided for a commission of 5 per cent on the first £IOOO and 2£ per cent on the balance. The magistrate said that before he could succeed, defendant must prove either a well-established custom to charge the rates he had deducted or a special contract to pay the rates. In the magistrate's opinion defendant had failed to prove his special Contract and accordingly he must refund the excess. Judgment was given for plaintiffs for £6O with costs.

SEAMAN IN COURT A sequel to a fracas outside a hotel in Queen Street on Monday evening wns the appearance before Mr F. H. Levien. S.M., yesterday of William Stuart Jackson, aged 18, a seaman on the vessel Karamea, on two charges of assault one of disorderly behaviour while drunk, and one of using obscene language. Accused, whose right eye was injured and whose forehead was badly bruised, pleaded guilty to all counts. He was admitted to probation for six months.