PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12198, 24 July 1925, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION

PREPAID FREIGHTS (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—The information broadcasted in the Press about the railway’s new system of prepaid freights is obviously inspired by the offioial responsible, as"it is by no means agreeable to the consignors. It is said that the Railway Department will collect (very virtuously) freight from the consignee “at a small charge to cover tho cost of accounting.” That charge is 25 per cent, of the freight.' Why, merchants have been called profiteers for putting on that much profit. In so far as the consignor is concerned, he sells . and always has done, goods f.o.b. rail, but that system will be upset. **Tt means this, that where possible, goods will he * consigned by boat or lorry and the railway cut out. I, as one largely interested, have already arranged for other transport, and no doubt the lorry will loom pretty large on the roads just as the ’buses are doing on the streets. A new broom sweeps clean, but it wants judicious directing.—l am, etc., MERCHANT. GRAMOPHONES IN~ SCHOOLS (To the Editor. “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —Messrs E. J. Hyams, Ltd., question some of the statements made by the recent deputation to Ministers respecting imported gramophones being supplied to our State schools. (1) The suggestion I made respecting the landed cost seems to be the truth, as an admission that the landed cost had been quoted in the tender was made by the successful tenderer at a meeting of the retail trade: and I would suggest that Messrs Hyams, Ltd., write Mr Petberiek, the secretary of the Retail Talking Machine Dealers’ Association, for confirmation, if they doubt my information. . (2) The Hon. Sir James Parr stated itt the course of his reply: “The .British manufacturers assure me that the whole make of the article we get is British,” but a member of the deputation interjected, saying: “It is a lie!” I did not make the remark, but it can he repeated and proved. Sufficient (considering your space) is the following, which also covers the final paragraph in the letter:. Messrs Hyams state that the timber in New Zealand machines is mostly imported., May I ask if the mica, the rubber parts, the' oak, the walnut and the mahogany in the imported machines is grown in England, or is more British than the timber, used in New Zealand machines? Messrs Hyams refer to raw material, will they write it in the Government contract that the material raw and finished, even in their motor is all British ? If they cannot do this, is theirß an all Britieli machine, and how much more of it is a British machine than the New (Zealand make P s We can certainly ' supply beautiful locally grown timbers; and also, alas, Japanese oak. A saving grace is the fdet that New Zealand manufacturers use njore British timber than the British makers. '

(3) Tho figures Messrs Hyams quote total nearly £50,000 of Imports,, of which amount £38,874 is imports from the U.5.A.,. leaving something over £IO,OOO of imports from Switzerland, Sweden and Germany. Messrs Hyams state “a big proportion of this is for parts and accessories for manufacturing of gramophones in New Zealand,”' to me it looks as though the big proportion is .for completed machines from the U.S.A., not parffe from'Switzerland, Sweden and Germany., ' The particular statement, I made was that gramophones equal to the world’s best were being made in New. Zealand, including essentially everything but the motor, and that British motors were and could be supplied. Messrs Hyams state that the sound ,box, tone arm. motor, and all the fittings are imported into New Zealand. I extend an invitation to the Ministers and to Messrs Hyams to visit with me the showrooms and factofies. and see and hear fot themselves wholly New Zealand stock gramophones (excepting motor). The value comparison, both musical and financial. I am Quite willing to leave to the hundreds of good New Zealanders who are paying the price and. selecting the best article. Sir, I regret very much to enter into a controversy regarding the merits ol British and New Zealand articles! On my suggestion for this reason' the Industrial Association allowed a letter that appeared in your- paper from the British Association of Agents and Manufacturers to pass' without comment. Such discussions because of our people’s love of this land and theiryJesire to see everybody in employment must be to the benefit of our local industries. The. large special advertisements at present appearing respecting imported graihophones and this . controversy, advertises more than anything.else to your intelligent readers Hie merits of the New Zealand article. Thousands of pounds value per month and a great many employees are in the gramophone industry of New Zealand, and I am pleased to' help where I can this remarkably successful growing industry, and keep these men in employment. I am sorry their children cannot hear in the State schools “the gramophones father makes.”—l am, etc., L. T. WATKINS, President, N.Z. Industrial Corporation.