PROTECTING INDUSTRIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 837, 4 December 1929, Page 10

PROTECTING INDUSTRIES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEWS REPLY TO MANUFACTURERS That the Auckland Chamber of Commerce had never opposed the protection of young and growing industries was the gist of the reply received from the Chamber of Commerce at a meeting of the Auckland [Manufacturers’ Association, held yesterday afternoon. It concerned a letter which had been sent by the association expressing concern at the attitude taken by the associated chambers with regard to the principle of tariff protection of manufactories. At a meeting of the association held in November, exception was taken to the remarks of Mr. C. P. Agar, the president, at the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Agar said that the country could go along quite successfully if it confined itself to the agricultural production and those industries which could be successfully established without the necessity for high tariff protection. The association sent a letter to the Chamber of Commerce drawing attention to the remarks made and asking if the chamber did not support the association’s slogan—“ Nothing should be imported that can be satisfactorily produced in New Zealand.”

In the chamber’s reply it was mentioned that it had often been stated that protection should be given to young industries for a limited period, but if, after a reasonable time, it was found that an industry was requiring more and more protection, this was an indication that the industry was not progressing satisfactorily. The chamber agreed with the association’s slogan, but considered that it would be improved with the adkltion of the words, “without excessive cost.” “The letter is about as satisfactory as could be expected,” commented the president, Mr. G. Finn.