ADVICE ON CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 9, 6 October 1943, Page 4

ADVICE ON CONTROL

Should Be Kept In Its . Proper Perspective VIEW OF PRESIDENT OF U.K. REPRESENTATIVES “Control should be kept in ils proper perspective and it would be wise for those responsible for control in wartime, and tliis association to a lesser extent, to recognize that the, public will not lake too kindly to controls, restrictions and rationings beyond what they consider is a reasonable period ot time.” said the president, Mr. W. A. Simpson, in his address yesterday to Ihe annual meeting in Wellington of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association. This note of caution, tie said, was voiced in the English Press some time ago in reply to an address by a responsible member of the United kingdom Government which inferred that we should be prepared for a continuation of control and rationing for a number of years to come. Referring briefly to control or regimentation with particular reference to trade and commerce, -Ur. Simpson said he would use the word “regimentation” in its broadest sense and in preference to the more general expression “socialization.” He believed that the latter was too frequently used when the former might be more appropriate. They had a measure of freedom and liberty of action in the conduct of their business notwithstanding ' restriction by means of control,-but their interests were not exactly socialized. Some might argue it was a moot point. Perhaps it was, but’ there was no denying the fact that they were being regimented today probably more than ever in history. This Dominion was not the exception. Its application was world wide, in fact it was becoming an epidemic. “We, however, must bo ever watch-

ful that socialization does not follow in the wake of control or regimentation,” continued Mr. Simpson. Who was in a better position than the manufacturer to determine the type and the quality of the product and best methods of manufacture and distribution to tlie consumer? He was progressive and aggressive without being violently so. ,He sought to place his commodities in the hands of tlie majority which called for initiative, while competition demanded 'that they be placed on, the market at the most economical price, and tlie manufacturer recognized lie could only sell what the public required. His reputation was built up on tlie goodwill and quality of his product, and no amount of regimentation would produce goods at a cheaper price than free competition. Probably this very important aspect was too frequently overlooked by students of political science when advocating socialization of means of production, supply ami distribution. It was therefore the duty of every member of the community and in particular their association to evolve ways ami means which would bring about the freeing of trade .and commerce .from tlie shackles imposed on industry through regimentation by control. Tlie alternative to control and regimentation should 'be co-operation be tween the Government and organizations interested in tlie development of trade and commerce, not domination of the latter by the former. Tlie “new world” set up as envisaged by tlie Atlantic Charter could not be implemented except through co-operation between national governments, but this should not be made the excuse for inliltration into tlie sphere of trade and commerce by governments. In respect to the post-war planning, he said, tlie first objective called for an acknowledgment that certain measures of control over trade and commerce between the United Kingdom and New Zealand were inevitable and consequently demanded their wholehearted co-operation with the authorities responsible for the conduct of the national and global war effort. On the other hand, this association must bo vigilant and ever-watchful that control was not allowed to run away with control ; that the system considered essential to the war effort did not bring in its wake a state of chaos and confusion such as existed after the Great War of 1914-18. Mr. Simpson was re-elected president and Mr. L. H. Wood a vice-presi-dent. Mr. L. T. Jacobsen was elected the other vice-president. The full composition of the council will be announced later.