BUSINESS FEARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23930, 4 October 1939, Page 8

BUSINESS FEARS

EFFECTS OF RESTRICTIONS REPRESENTATIONS TO GOVERNMENT (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. The uncertainty which existed in the minds of many members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce about price fixation and import restriction was referred to by the secretary (Mr E. M. Bardsley) at to-night s meeting of the chamber. Mr Bardsley read a letter from a member of the chamber,-asking for a statement on the nosition so that members might know what was being done and what were the prospects of the regulations being amended. The letter was typical of many received from members. Mr Bardsley said. „ The president (Captain S. Holm) said the Associated Chambers of Commerce had the position in hand, but till they made a statement the steps taken were confidential. Mr M. G. C. McCaul: I would like to give an assurance to the business people of Wellington and of New Zealand that the Associated Chambers of Commerce have been working very hard and consistently for a month in endeavouring to bring before Ministers a realisation of the serious results likely to follow the processes they have set in motion. We all recognise that Ministers of the Crown are not trained business men. and they have no knowledge of many of the matters in which they are dealing. The Associated Chambers have been endeavouring quietlv and unostentatiously to show them the difficulties they are creating and what we will all have to face, so that they may be able in a sense to put New Zealand's house in order. The question of prices had cropped up in a letter read by the secretary, continued Mr McCaul. Members knew that on the outbreak of war the Government had brought down regulations to prevent prices soaring. That was quite right as a temporary measure. It was done in all countries to give time for thought pending the introduction of legislation to prevent profiteering, but it should not prevent the flow of trade. Flow of trade and Drofit was necessary to nay for the war. If nrofit were eliminated, a country doing that would speedily flop. "What is necessary, and we business people realise it," Mr McCaul said, "is prevention of an individual making a nrofit at the expense of his fellows. We do not want the war profiteer. He is objectionable, and, most of all. to the commercial class who have very high ideals."