A SQUARE DEAL WANTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21555, 18 January 1940, Page 6

A SQUARE DEAL WANTED

Whakatane Paper Mills Unfair Move By Government Alleged By Telegraph —Press Association ROTORUA. January 17. “Is the New Zealand Government giving the Whakatane Paper Mills. Ltd., a square deal?” This question was raised by Mr H. H. Horrocks in an interview to-day. Mr Horrocks said he was reliably informed that the Government was issuing licences for further importations of board notwithstanding the fact that Whakatane Paper Mills, pending the public inquiry promised by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, is fulfilling orders at the price and on the terms fixed by the Government Price Tribunal. As importers of goods were being rationed sterling on the grounds of national economy, the public of New Zealand could conserve sterling demand to the extent of at least £300.000 per annum if the Whakatane Mills were allowed to continue operations.

Mr Horrocks submits that the latest development is designed to cripple the operations of the mill at the expense of those people unable to secure sterling and at the expense of the shareholders in Whakatane Paper Mills, Ltd. “Our shareholders,” said Mr Horrocks. “are good fighters, and only ask for a square deal. Under existing conditions for the Price Tribunal to peg prices at figures showing losses under existing wages awards and then, because of the absence of any protecting tariff, give boxmakers licences to import certain boards at a figure below the New Zealand cost of production is denying the industry the right to exist. This action is extremely difficult to reconcile with the oft repeated statements of the Prime Minister that the Government is giving encouragement to the development of New Zealand industry.