EXPORTS FROM BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24679, 24 September 1945, Page 5

EXPORTS FROM BRITAIN

MANY CONTROLS REMOVED DRIVE TO REBUILD OVERSEAS TRADE (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) / LONDON, Sept. 22. An important measure in the drive to rebuild Britain's export trade comes into force on Monday. Under a Board of Trade order* ;t will no longer be necessary for British manufacturers to secure export licences for a wide range of their goods. There will be some controls, but in future the only restrictions on many British exports will be the ability of manufacturers to secure the necessary materials and labour to execute the orders. ' ,„ , In some cases restrictions will also still apply, that is, no more than a stipulated total of a certain class of goods may be exported each year. | Manufacturers interested in trade with New Zealand are at present reserved in their comments about how the removal of controls will affect them, because of the New Zealand Government's import restrictions. The British list of goods removed from control is now being compared with the New Zealand list of restrictions. Here is some indication of the type of goods now available for unlicensed export. Machinery has been removed entirely from the licensing 'list, except for threshing machinery and combine harvesters, contractors' plant, leather and well-drilling machinery, mobile cranes and textile machinery, and plant made before April, 1941. Ball-bearings have been removed, and the list of metal manufactures has been greatly reduced. It now covers only enamelled hollowware, gas meters, water taps, some nails and studs, combs, a few specified hand tools, enamelled wire, and a few other goods in short supply. Manufactured goods made partly of some non-ferrous metals, including copper and zinc, have been deleted from the list. All vehicles and vehicle parts have been removed from 'control, except vans, lorries, truck chassis and Diesel engines for them, tyres, tubes, and some tractors. Instruments and apparatus are now fiee from control, except surgical instruments and appliances, and also except certain cinematograph cameras rnd lamps, spectacles and lenses, Instrument jewels, and cellulose and absorbent cotton, and wadding. Electrical goods under control have been reduced to two items—lead acid accumulators and cooking and heating appliances. Nearly one-half of the items of chemicals and drugs have been removed from the control list. Goods remaining subject to licence are foodstuffs, many raw materials (some of which must be imported and paid for in dollars), clothing and otrjor textiles, important chemicals and drugs, a strictly limited list of manufactured goods in short supply, arms and ammunition, diamonds, works of art, and other valuables where there are special reasons for retaining control. Penicillin and uranium compounds used in releasing atomic energy and other radio-active materials have fcedh added to the control list. . As another step in Britain's industrial reconversion, a further long list of Government-owned or controlled war factories have been allocated to civilian production.' The list will be announced shortly. DUKE OFWINDSOR INTERVIEW WITH REPORTERS (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have arrived at their Paris residence. The Duke was appalled by the damage he saw at Le Havre. The Duchess said she was determined to take up French relief work. Speaking with a slight American accent.Hhe Duke of Windsor welcomed 30 newspapermen aboard the American troopship Argentina in Plymouth Sound. . . , . , juj He said that he had not planned his immediate future. He would like any job he could do well, and he would certainly prefer a job in Britain, The Duke said that he was looking forward to seeing Queen Mary and the King when he visits Britain early in October. He planned to return to Prance and bring back the Duchess to England. , ~.,„. "I am certainly not going to hide, he added. "People will have a chance to see me and the Duchess. It will be lovely to be in England again." The Argentina anchored off shore for an hour before going on to Le Havre. RUSSIAN PROSECUTOR OF WAR CRIMINALS (Rec. 7 p.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 21. It has been announced that Mr R. A. Rudenko has been appointed special Russian prosecutor for the trial of war criminals. Mr Nikitchenko, who was originally chosen as prosecutor, has now been appointed one of the judges. TREATMENT OF JEWS IN BERLIN (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21. The Berlin city administration has recognised the surviving German Jews as victims of Fascism, and has granted them preferential treatment, including better food rations. The authorities at first took the view that to recognise the claims of the Jews as in a special category would be to accept Hitler's policy of racial discrimination.