IMPORTS FROM BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25244, 24 July 1947, Page 6

IMPORTS FROM BRITAIN

TOTAL PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN GOODS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 23. The view that New Zealand’s commercial and industrial system was in greater dsnger than at any time in its history was expressed by the president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers’ and New Zealand Representatives’ Association (Mr G. K- Hansard) at ;ts annual meeting to-day. Mr Hansard S2id that Britons could not understand the total prohibition that New Zealand placed on certain \ imports from the United JCingdom. “The consulting of United Kingdpm interests as fo what goods could economically be imported appears to have been overlooked,” Mr Hansard continued, “and, in many cases where imports tion has been total! prohibited, the United Kingdom manufacturer does not generally appear to have been invited to express nis views. We as an association welcome the establishment in New Zealand of branches of any British manufacturer, with British production machinery, and with British technicians, who desire to manufacture here withqut the impprt prohibition pf similar goods. “Surply the freight, exchange, insurance, landing charges, and, in many cases, customs duty, should be sufficient protection for any industry, when it is borne in mind that even excluding duty these charges increase the f.o.b. price by from 37i per cent, to 47| per cent.,” Mr Hansard said. “If the goods cannot be manufactured with the above protection, plus, in many cases, customs duty, they should be classed as uneconomic, and the labour should be diverted to primary industries and other secondary industries that are econpmic.”