N.Z. IMPORT CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 308, 29 December 1944, Page 3

N.Z. IMPORT CONTROL

TENDENCIES WATCHED BRITISH EXPORTERS CRITICAL LONDON, Dec. 27. It is now widely recognised that the extra millions which the British Government recently agreed to pay New Zealancf under the negotiated contract for the bulk purchase of butter, meat and other products are justified by price considerations, says the Daily Telegraph's city editor. Britain in the past has benefited from New Zealand's stabilisation measure, and the difference is now being made good. There is still, however, some disposition to view this agreement critically in the light of the recent tendencies in New Zealand's overseas trade policy. While it is obvious that imports and exports have been diverted from their normal channels by shipping, lend lease and other wartime influences, British exporters are far from happy about the developments taking place in New Zealand's import control. It is noted that in the import licensing schedule for 194,5 there is a fairly long list of commodities on which the complete prohibition of imports will operate, all being goods now manufactured in New Zealand. This development, which has become more arid more marked in recent years, cannot readily be reconciled with the spirit of the agreement with Britain in 1939. Under this agreement the New Zealand Government stated that it did not intend to employ its importing policy to give protection to New Zealand industry against the import of goods from the United Kingdom on a scale preventing full opportunities for reasonable competition.