WHO ABE THE PROFITEERS?

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1920, Page 4

WHO ABE THE PROFITEERS?

Statements with regard to the cost of meat, which will set the- British public wondering where the profits go to, were made by Sir Thomas McKenzie, High Comissioner of New Zealand, at Stafford. According to the High Commissioner.

The finest quality of beef was exported at from 4*d per pound. Mutton ranged from 3jd to 6d per pound. Twopence more per pound ought to have landed the meat in England, according to Sir Thomas. The average price they agreed to accept for wool was about Is 3d pound, and yet lie had heard that 8s pound above pre-war prices wero being paid for worsted. New Zealand had been charging Is 7}d pound for butter; yet the Mother Country bought butter from Denmark at 3s pound. He had frequently received cables from New Zealand urging that these articles should be placed within reach of people here at lower cost Enormous quantites of dear meat am wool had been sent over, and more was available, but the docks were congested here, and ships were not discharged and sent back to bring articles so much re-, GOVERNMENT AS PROFITEERS. Mr IT C. Campbell wrote complaining to the Chamber of Commerce that the Government wore among the great_ est offenders in the matter of profiteerinf The law stated that duty must be paid on the fair market value for homo consumption at the time df export and at the place where the goods were maim factored. The writer had in front ot him the case of a line of baths from Falkirk Scotland, for which the importer ; a8 paying £176 19s 8d and yet the Government demanded duty on 09.-. q 16s The Government’s intentions f„ taming t.,e 1.. to onnblo tto small man to compete with the big ma but this end was not achieved as the big importer was allowed a quantity d scount. With goods from America, the majority of instances the home consumption price was identical wit: the export price. In Australia it. '*« quite different. There a man was asked to pay duty on what he actually paid for his go° ds - , . ~ 1, Mr Campbell said this matter would be discussed at the conference, when more could be said. It was resolved to defer the matter until conference had discuscd it.