WASTE IN WAR-TIME.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1917, Page 2

WASTE IN WAR-TIME.

THE SALE OF LUXURIES. NEEDLESS IMFIQRTS JAPAN. Some .pointed remarks were made la6t iveek by Mr. J. A. Frostiek, of the National Efficiency Board, on the question : of economy. "It i" n0 use," he said, "for the Government, or any board acting under the GoVrmiont, to urge economy unless the pcoplo are prepared to adopt the advice given them. It should not be necessary if pceple understood their duty to the 'State as individuals or col-,!eetiv-\v to suggest the necessity of enforcing economy by compulsion.,' I have before me the principal iteniß in the importations from Japan for the years 1913-14-13-16. Fifty-one classes of goods irrespective of miscellaneous, were imported, and the figures at the Japanese cost, as between 1013 and 1018, are £151.106 and .£610,903. Aii analysis of this list reveals a deplorable', state of affairs from the economic point- of view. ■ "In makini comparisons between IM4 1 and l{)l(i I find in the food classification ' that we imported goods, principally rice, valued at £10,793 less. In articles that are useful commercially, and which the people really need, the increase is £43,063, but in ; the articles' that arc needless luxuries durinj tho timo of war tiie increase is £428,404 as between 11)1-4 anil 1016. It mfiy, however, be fair to reduce this amount by £51,07®, ns this sum" represents excess in cotton goods, principally fancy stuff, but even deducting this the goods classified as luxuries, or goods that can be done without in war-time, leaves an increase in this section of £376,023. The landed value of this increased duty and import charges paid represent over half a million pounds sent to Japan for articles."