IMPORTS FROM BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23248, 7 February 1941, Page 10

IMPORTS FROM BRITAIN

BUSINESSMEN SEEK CLEAR EXPLANATION

Members of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce decided last evening to ask the Associated Chambers of Commerce to secure from the High Commissioner for Great Britain, Sir Harry Batterbee, a clarification of the import situation as between Great Britain and New Zealand. Representatives of the importing section declared at the meeting that it was vitally necessary for New Zealand to know, as far as possible in the conditions ruling, just what could be imported from the Old Country.

The discussion on this issue arose when Mr S. O. Dillon said that his firm had been advised that the British Government had laid a distinct embargo on the export of nuts, bolts, and screws. He asked that the importers’ committee of the chamber investigate the possibility of securing permits for the importation of such essential goods from Canada. It was now extremely difficult, he said, to secure permits for the immediate importation of such vital essentials. Mr V. E. Hamilton said that it was hard for importers to know what to do. Embargoes -/ere being placed on certain classes of goods in England, it appeared, but on the other hand he had several letters on his desk from British manufacturers, claiming that it was essential for New Zealand to take their goods if they were to carry on. The chairman, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, suggested that ah ' approach be made to Sir Harry Batterbee for clarification of the issue, through the associated chambers. Sir Harry, he said, had been helpful in such cases on more than one occasion. Members agreed t.o ask the associated chambers to approach Sir Harry Batterbee.