WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL GOODS?

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 3

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL GOODS?

A FOUR-YEAR OLD QUESTION

STILL VAGUELY ANSWERED

On August 23, according to instructions received from the council ot the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the secretary (Mr. H. D. Vickery) forwarded the following letter to tho ActingPrime Minister (Sir James Allen) :— "Sir,—The National Efficiency Board asked this chamber if'it could, assist it in supplying definite information bearing on the allegation that for some months past goods that may be deemed to be luxuries or non-essentials had been imported into the Dominion to the exclusion of essential goods. "My chamber set up a special committee to inquire into this matter, and the committee presented an interim report, but it is exceedingly difficult to ascertain in New Zealand exactly what the position is. It undoubtedly is a fact that for the first five months of the year a great quantity of whisky and other spirits was imported into the Dominion. Whether the cargo space thus used was to the exclusion of more essential cargo is a matter upon which my chamber is at present not prepared to express ail opinion. "The sub-committee, however, makes the suggestion that the Right Hon. the Prime Minister be cabled to in London and asked if arrangements could be made with the High Commissioner's Office to make specific inquiries into the allegation that spirits have been given priority or special facilities for shipment over essential cargo. . "It is also suggested that Mr. Spence, the representatfve of the Customs Department in. Grfcac Britain, make the inquiry. I am requested by my council to eowej the suggestion to youi and it truste you will agree to cable the inquiry." To the above, the Acting Prime Minister replied as follows:~ "Prime Minister's Office,

"Wellington, September 26, 1918. "Dear Sir,—l duty received your letter of the 23rd ultimo, and have to

thank you for the information as to the inquiries made by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in regard to

the allegation that luxuries or lion-os-sential goods had been imported into the Dominion Jo the exclusion of essential goods. With. respect to the suggestions contained in the latter part of your letter, I have to state that in response to .telegrams sent by me the Right Hon. Mr. Massey forwarded tho following telegraphic reply from London, dated July 18. 1918:-' With reference to your telegram of July 5, Ministry Shipping inform me that if Government of New Zealand will forward, priority list they will request conference lines adhere as far «s pos'sible to it in. booking cargo. Telegraph list, and I will forward to Controller accordingly.' "Subsequently I telegraphed to Mr. Mnssey, and, as a result d the representations made, ordors which have been supported by the Minister of Munitions and Supplies in New Zealand should now bo favourably censidcred for space, when tho goods represented by the ordors arc ready for shipment. At the saino time tho Prime Minister was furnished vith the following list- of goods for which preference space should be given:—Agricultural seeds, salt, _ chemicals and diuss, dyes, sheep dip, metals, Metal goods, machinery, electric appliances, engine packing, surgical and scientific instruments, paper, cardboard, stationery, books, bookbinders' Tpaterials, paperhangings, printing materials, textile piece goods, apparel, lint-makers' materials, carpets and floorcloth, sewing cottons and silks, oils, paints, and varnish, brushwarci and brushmakprs' materials, indiarubbor hose and tubing, chinawnro and earthenware, glass and glassware, soap, leather and leather goods."