GAS COOKER “SCANDAL.”

Wairarapa Age, 10 December 1921, Page 4

GAS COOKER “SCANDAL.”

The Hon. W. Downie Stewart’s explanation of the celebrated gas cooker episode ought to make that section of the press which attacked him so vigor ously feel rather cheap. What happened was this: Early in its investigations the Tariff Commission came across strong prima facie evidence of the dumping of English cookers in New Zealand. The evidence was' so strong that they represented to the Minister that he should issue an Order-

in-Couneil prohibiting the import while the matter was further inquired into. He did so, and instructed the expert agent of the Government in England to find out from the manufacturers why they were able to sell so much cheaper in New Zealand than in England. Winter w'as coming on, and to injure the local industry by dumping would only increase the unemployment. Meanwhile, of course, a press campaign was inaugurated against the Ordcf-in-Council so rabid that the Auckland Gas Company and some southern importers, on hearing theMinister’s explanation, admitted that they had been quite misled by the press and that the prohibition was reasonable and proper. By and by the Government expert announced that the manufacturers at Home had agreed -not tc sell in New Zealand at dumping prices. The Order-in-Couneil having

served its purpose, it was now reversed, with the very natural result that the clamorous papers claimed a victory over the Minister and in the interests of the public. “The press never admitted a mistake,’’ added the Minister, “and so the campaign continuedIt was immediately said that he had acted at the dictation of public criticism.’’ It would be interesting to know what motive the critics imputed to the Minister of Customs. Obviously the step he took was one that was bound to lay him open to attack, and the shallowest reasoning would have shown that it would not be taken without the very best cause.