N.Z. CROCKERY MAY SOON BE CHEAPER, LOCAL MAN SAYS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 85, 21 August 1950, Page 5

N.Z. CROCKERY MAY SOON BE CHEAPER, LOCAL MAN SAYS

The belief that the present high price of New Zealand-made crockery will soon fall is held by a Whakatane retailer. At present New Zealand ware costs from 50 to 100 per cent more than English articles. For the last three years, said the Whakatane retailer, New Zealand manufacturers had been experimenting and the New Zealand product had gradually improved. The time had now been reached where mass production of quality articles should result in lower prices.

Representations have been made by crockery agents to the Minister of Customs about protection of the New Zealand pottery industry and the association hopes that the Import Advisory Committee will approach the import of china and earthenware from the point of view of the best interests of the New Zealand consumer. “Even when allowance has been made for the desirability of supporting industrial ventures in this country,” says the report, “the final test should be the cost of such support which has to be paid by the consumer. Today the English undecorated earthenware teacup and Saucer is sold at 1/11 to 2/1, whereas the price of the corresponding New Zealand article is 3/8.”