NORMAL TRADE METHODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25940, 5 September 1945, Page 6

NORMAL TRADE METHODS

EARLY RETURN ADVOCATED STATE BUYING BLUNDERS (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. “The sooner we get back to the ordinary methods of trade the better for the merchants and for the country generally, and the time is imw ripe for that change,” said Mr A. J. Murdoch (Oppn., Marsden) speaking in the financial debate in the House of Representatives to-day. He added that in recent years the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, had been the chief buyer for his department, and he had made several bad “ buys.” Some thousands of dozen saucepans were purchased which were no good, said Mr Murdoch. They were usable on gas stoves only, and were useless for electric stoves. One thousand dozen of them cost about £IO,OOO. There had also been a loss on a purchase of mattress ticking The amount was no doubt passed on through the War Expenses Account to the public. The Dominion. Mr Murdoch added, now had £67,000,000 in sterling funds, and the Government should implement its promises of fostering trade with Britain by allocating a large proportion of those funds to enable New Zealand to buy the goods which Britain had to offer. The provision of £20,962 for the cost of running the Waterfront Control Commission, with three commissioners at £1325 a year each and other highly-paid executive officers, was also criticised by Mr Murdoch. He said it was a gross waste of public money. The wharves should be handed back to the harbour hoards, who could ran then? equally as well, if not better.