BUSINESS NEED SEEN

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 285, 31 August 1942, Page 8

BUSINESS NEED SEEN

First-hand Representation

In Washington

Feeling that some detiuite action should be taken to obtain first-hand representation in Washington for business interests, the Buivau of Importers, Auckland, has written to the Chambers of Commerce in the Dominion asking them to give consideration to its suggestion to meet this need.

From time to time a]ipeiils have been made by commefeial organizations for more common sense ami business methods to be applied to Government control, but the only (’fleet, has been a continuance of the import control regulations iu mor 1 drastic form, states the bureau, which considers, too, that the people of New Zealand are accepting the attitude of the Government toward the business community with a great deal of apathy, and very few know the serious state of affairs into which the business of the country is drifting. Understanding that Mr. W. Bromley, of the Supply Department, who tvcently returned .from Australia, had completely altered his ideas of how the business of New Zealand with overseas countries should be conducted, the bureau feels the time opportune for definite action to be taken by business interests as a whole toward obtaining first-hand representation ia Washington. It suggests that a competent business man having lite fullest confidence of the business people of New Zealand, should be appointed there. I lie business community to select him and pay bis expenses. it. suggests that Illis iTprcsentaliw should aet entirely apart from lite Government, and though he would be under the control of a small committee of business men here, whose duty it would be to keep him fully posted with what is going on, lie, in turn, would have to keep a close watch on affairs in the United States. To give him a proper status he would need to have admission to Government and commercial circles in Washington, but. that, no doubt, could be arranged with the authorities in the two countries.

'l'lio bureau feels that such an appointment. would go a long way toward ironing out many of the difficulties that keep cropping up because inexperienced people are placed in the position of ordering and attending to New Zealand’s requirements.