LIFTING OF CONTROLS

Chronicle (Levin), 24 May 1947, Page 5

LIFTING OF CONTROLS

-press Assoeiaticm

Conhast Between NZ and U.S. Conditions

By Telegraph—

WELLINGTON, May 23. - Arnerican pxice eontrols were lifted at the l'ight tiffie-in the opinion of Mr. W. L. Sxnxs, viee-president of the Colgate Palmolive Peet Compaiiy, Jersey City, U.S.A., wlxo is visiting Welling ton in connection with • the expansion of the cotnpany's New Zealand faetory. Mr. Sims said that the United. States had such large production faeilities that the lifting of eontrols was effeeted as a necessary incentive to production. "In New Zealand price control seems a good thing to maijitain as long as production capaeity is limited," said Mr. iSims," "When there is. a full eommercial pi.pe-line of products, and high production that makes supply equal or exceed demand, then the country can think of renioving price control. Until then removal will mean a spiralling of the eost of artieles and an increase in vvages. " Mr, Sims said that when price eontrols were removed in the United States pflees had sptralled upwards, as there had been a lag in production, but aftervvards they had steadied down a litt'e.; In the soap inustry an example he gave was tlie eost. of- tallow. With the removal of eontrols tlie price wbnt Up to 23, cents a pound, eompared with 84 cents a pound under eeiling prices, but now the price had steadi, d at 1.3 to 19 cents. Soap prices had reacted to the spiralling and steadying, "I cto not think we will get ba,ck te pre-v. ar prices, as there ix .ve been so many increases in wages since then,' said Mr. Sims. He tho ghj- prices o. soap j and soap pro .Tucts would remain between 25 and 30 per cent. abova pr war levels, which was about tlie percentage increase in wajes. New detergents whi -h were being made would be intensting for the house wifo and for industry, said Mr. Sims. They were of two types, one produced from vegetable oils and the other from pCt'rSleuin. In som5 indus tries they were used as wetting agents, in dyeing they were used for the dispersion of dyes, and they were also us :d for ore flotation. "The new detergents are splendid for washing lingerie and for dislies, " said Mr. Sims. "They dry naturally and leave dishes sparkling and cleai; without the uecessity- for using a towel. They have an affinity for soil and are a verv efficient cleanser, especiaily .with hot water. " Descnbing the part played duting the war by detergents, Mr. .Sims said they allowed warships to earry inore fuel, witli a con,sequent longer range. That was possible Lecause thev allowed the use of salt water for laundering and personal washing, &o that far less fresh water had to be cavried'. Mr, Sims does not expect New Zealand production of tlie anatori als to begin liefore about two'years have passed as,«otiie time will be KRfftired to obtain Ihe necessary machinery.