asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, having regard to his expressed view that the present trade depression in this country may be largely due to the development of consumers' resistance, which contains prominently the psychological factor, he will take appropriate steps through the Press, radio or such other media as he considers fit, to endeavour to assuage or eliminate the symptoms from which this resistance may have sprung.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Depression Causes.
It is difficult to achieve the desired result by propaganda consciously directed to induce a psychological change, and such propaganda might easily defeat its own ends. Furthermore, the factors which are affecting trade here are operating in every country and must, therefore, be assumed to be of a world-wide character. In so far as the position in this country may be influenced by the existence of abnormal stocks, steps to curtail imports have been taken, and these steps may be expected to have the supplementary effect of encouraging a resumption of trade at a normal level.