NON-ESSENTIAL GOODS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 6

NON-ESSENTIAL GOODS

ALLOCATION OF SHIPPING SPACE

INTERESTING FIGURES

The suggestion recently made that space on steamers trading to New Zealand has been used i'or non-essential commodities to the exclusion of essential goods, was discussed at u meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The council had beiore it the following letter from the chairman of the National ilfiiciency Board:—.

"Numerous complaints having 'been current from time to time during the last lew months in rarioiri parts of tho Dominion, alleging the importation ol goods that may be deemed to be luxuries or non-essentials to the exclusion of essential goods, the National Jitticiency Board lias decided to make inquiries in each centre with a view to ascertaining it' there is any serious foundation fo/ theso statements. If your Chamber can assist me by the supply qf definite information bearing 011 this point, I shall be pleased to receive same.

"L suggest that it may be that individual firms who would bo unwilling to disclose their business to trade competitors would be willing to forward to this board details where they would have advice ot goods awaiting consign, luent at ports of shipment. that have not been forwarded, whilst othyr goods appearing to be of a less, essential character have obtained preference. Any such information would be deemed to be confidential, and would only be disclosed, if necessary, to the Government. It has also been stated that in coastwise shipments) in New Zealand, priority has been given to certain classes of merchandise in preference to other and allegedly more essential goods, and any information bearing vpon this matter, with specific cases thereof, I should be glad to receive." Tho council discussed the matter at some length. The following figures, showing imports for the four-month Jieriods, January 1 (0 April 30, 1917, and 191S, were placed before tho members:— , Imports-January 1 to April 30. 11117. 191$. Inc. Articles. Gals. Gals. Gals. Brandy 12,253 3-1,173 21,920 Gin and schnapps 20,755 51,010 21,255 Rum 1,005 5,282 017 Whisky 182,739 337,599 Iot,BOO Wine (fermented) 1,995 3,203 1,208 Wine (still) 31,094 10,510 12,110 Benzine 1,055,320 1,408,11b '113,128 ' 1917. 1918. Dec. a; X £ Hardware 101,003 (17.1103 30,700 Machinery 11,1)71 25,137 19,83-1 Drapery 75,185 58,310 19,809 Crockery '19,430 30,209 19,227 Textiles 37,105 20,127 11.033 Woollens 200,755 152,® 108,192 Tn tho course of discussion members of the council stated that oversea steamers had arrived during recent months without lull cargoes. This -ippearal to be duo to tho fact that the steamers were running to a. time-table, and so could r.ot wait for cargo. They could not always take cargo that was waiting for them at British ports, owing to 'shortage of labour and other dillicullies. It sometynes happened that New Zealand cargo was under other cargo at the stores in British ports, and could not be got out in time for loading. The council set up a committee to make inquiries and prepare a report for the Efficiency Board.