WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL GOODS?

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14894, 17 October 1918, Page 2

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL GOODS?

QUESTION VAGUELY ANSWERED.

On August 23', according to instructions received from the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the secretary (MrH..D. Vicfcery) forwarded the following letter to tho Acting.S? Mi, l} istcr (Sir James Allen):— 1 Sir, —The National Efficiency Board asked this chamber if it could assist it in supplying definite information bearing on the allegation that for some months ■past goods that may *be deemed to be luxuries or non-essentials had been imported into the Dominion' to the exclusion of essential goods. "My chamber set up a .special committee to inquire into.this matter, and the committee presented an interim report, but it is "exceedingly" difficult to j ascertain, in New Zealand exactly .what ! tho position is. It undoubtedly is a fact that for the first five months of . the year a great quantity of whisky ] and other spirits was imported into the } Dominion. Whether the cargo | space thus used was to the [exclusion of more essential cargo is a matter upon which my chamber is at | present not prepared to express an; i opinion. ' ] "'The sub-committee, however, makes the suggestion that the Right Hon. the Prime Minister he-cabled to in London and asked if arrangements could be made with the High Commissioner's Office to make specific inquiries into the allegation that spirits have been given priority or special facilities for shipment over essential cargo. "It is also suggested that Mr Spence, the representative of the Customs Department in Great Britain, make the inquiry. 1 am requested by my council to convey the suggestion to you, and it trusts you will-agree to canle the inquiry." . ■ •■■ To the above" the Acting-Prime Minister replied as follows :— "Prime Minister's Office, "Wellington, September 26, 1918. "Dear Sir, —I duly received your let|ter of the 23rd xiltimo, and have to : thank you .for. the information as to the ! inquiries made by the Wellington Charni ber of Commerce in regard to the ! allegation,that luxuries or non-essential ; goods had been imported into the Do- ' minion to the exclusion of essential goods. With respect to the suggestions contained in the latter part of your letter, 1 have to state that in response to telegrams sent- by me the Right Hon. Mr Massey forwarded the following I telegraphic reply from London, dated , July 18, 1918: —'With reference to your ; telegram of July 5, Ministry Shipping ' inform me that if Government ot New Zealand will forward priority list they ; will request conference lines adhere as far as'possible to it in booking cargo. Telegraph list, and I will forward to I Controller'accordingly.' i "Subsequently 1 telegraphed to Mr Massey, and, as a result of the repre- ■ sentations made, orders which have 1 been supported by the Minister of .Munitions and Supplies in New Zealand should now be favourably considered for space, when the goods represented by the orders are ready for shipment. At the same time the Prime I Minister was furnished with the following hst of goods for which preference space should be given :—Agricultural! seeds^ salt, chemicals and drugs, dyes, sheep dip. metals, metal goods, machinery, electric appliances engine packing, surgical and scientific instruments, paper, cardboard, stationery, books, bookbinders' materials, paper- ; hangings, printing materials, textile piece goods, apparel; hat-makers' materials, carpets and floorcloth sewj ing cottons and silks, oils, paints, and ; varnish, brushware and brushmakers' materials, indiarubbepjhose and tubing, j china-ware and earthenware, glass and : glasr-ware, soap,, leather and leather goods." -