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Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5942, 12 May 1944, Page 3

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WHAT SCOPE POST-WAR? CLARIFICATION NEEDED The declaration by the New Zealand Government that war-time controls are to be rapidly abolished postwar is highly satisfactory in itself, but it calls for a definition by the Government of the actual controls Covered by this undertaking (says a statement by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand). There are numerous controls that have been introduced since September, 1939, and which primary production, industry, commerce, trade, finance, the professions and the general public will be more than pleased to see the last of when hostilities cease, and when normal rights, freedom and individual enterprise are restored. But there is more involved than the controls dating from the outbreak of war. There are also those control’s which existed to a certain degree prewar, but which have been intensified under war conditions. Ate these greatly increased controls to be retained post-war because the skeleton structure existed pre-war? As a case in point, there is import control, which has been made very rigid indeed during the war, but which was actually inaugurated in December, 1938, simply for the purpose (as stated in the Year Book) of conserving overseas funds which were heavily in demand and had fallen to a low level. What degree of the existing Government control of imports is to be containled post-war? What is to be the position of the importer of finished goods, and of the manufacturer who has largely displaced such goods with his products under war conditions? Assured Basis -For Planning One of the, major points agreed on by, the 34 nations engaged in the recent currency stabilisation conference in America is that “members are permitted to retain wartime exchange controls with the understanding that they will gradually be relaxed.” This is hopeful for the New Zealand importer, discouraging to the New Zealand manufacturer, and assuring to neither as a basis for future planning. The Government has declared that, war or no war, import and exchange control is part of its policy; but to what degree post-war ? As another instance, the sole buyer, for the duration, of all dairy produce and nearly all meat products for export, is the New Zealand Government, but this is not wholly a war-time control, as it was in 1936 that the Primary Products Marketing Act provided for thle fixation of prices of butter and cheese, an amendment in 1937 bringing eggs, fruit and honey within the scope of the Act, hops and potatoes being added later, The control and distribution of imported fruits was actually placed in the hands of the Internal Marketing Department early in 1938. To what extent is private enterprise to be reinstated post-war? Then again, very close control over prices is exercised by thte Government under war conditions, but the principle, if not the present degree, of control was instituted pre-war; it was in June, 1939, that the Price Investigation Tribunal was constituted and restrictions on prices commlenced. In these and other instances that could be quoted, what constitute the war-time controls that are to be removed postwar? The question assumes a greater importance from the standpoint of the rehabilitation of returning servicemen. No other agency than private enterprise can hope to place the large numbers of men concerned. The best contribution that private enterprise can make to post-war rehabilitation is to provide the fullest opportunities for the absorption of the returned men and for the employment by them of their initiative and individual effort. Private enterprise can only do this if it is allowed to expand and perform its functions as the basis and chief motive force in our national economy. It is highly important to private enterprise that there be an early and clear declaration by the Government on these issues, so that private' enterprise may know whether it can lay plans now for staff, organisation and capital for post-war activities. Review of Policy It is probable that questions of prewar Government policy will be involved in this subject, and those policies should now be reviewed and clarified in light of the plans that overseas leaders are laying for the post-war scene. Lord Woolton, British Minister of Reconstruction, speaking in October last year when still Minister of Food, said: “I trust that, for the benefit of the national life, those of whom responsibilities shall rest in the future for the organisation of commerce, will remove as soon as circumstances permit, those controls which damp and deaden spirit and enterprise.” The Commonwealth Government has assured the people of Australia that post-war there will be “free and fair play for private enterprise and for the people generally.” Last year Henry A. Wallace, Vice-President of the United States, said: “Primarily the task of reemployment is the responsibility of businessmen. It is a responsibility they can meet only if enterprise is free to develop and extend the new lines of industry as well as the presently existing enormous plant capacity.” Two months ago the Defence Investigation Committee of the United States Senate urged “the quickest possible return to free competitive enterprise as war programmes declined in importance.” In the New Zealand Government’s pronouncements on the removal, of war-time controls, there is no similar expression of the place and the value of private enterprise in the post-war structure. If New Zealand is to move abreast of sister countries faced with similar problems, it will need to clarify the points we have raised as to the actual extent to which there is to be a return to free enterprise, which was severely restricted before the war started.