WIRE AND CABLE IMPORTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27377, 16 June 1954, Page 8

WIRE AND CABLE IMPORTS

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY

SUBMISSIONS BY N.Z. MANUFACTURERS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 15. An inquiry into import provisions for wires and cables was started today by the Board of Trade in Wellington. The value of imports of insulated wires and cables of all types in 1953 was £2,453,244, and the industry in New Zealand used raw materials to the value of about £500,000 annually, the board was told in a report prepared by the Department of Industries and Commerce.

The board, which consists of Sir David Smith (chairman) and Messrs G. W. Clinkard and D. I. Macdonald, will continue its hearing tomorrow. According to an estimate, there were more than 90,000 uses for wire products, and New Zealand usage, though not nearly so extensive or diverse as this, was still very considerable, said the department’s report. Importers and suppliers had estimated that, with various combinations and specifications, no fewer than 18,000 different types of electrical wires and cables were made. About 2000 of these were used in New Zealand electrical and allied industries.

Submissions were made by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation on behalf of a member company, asking that, if the board considered removing import control on certain insulated wires and cables, a tariff of 33 1-3 per cent, should be established to enable the New Zealand industry to continue. It. was considered unwise to rely on overseas supplies of these goods, the federation submitted.

The New Zealand Barbed Wire Manufacturers’ Association submitted that the estimated tonnage of barbing wire required by the industry for the 12 months ending December 31, 1954, would be 4700 tons. The present source of supply was the United Kingdom. It was considered that there should be no increase in the duty on barbing wire, as it was the raw material used by the industry, and the only effect would be to increase the selling price of barbed wire.

On behalf of nail and staple manufacturers, it was submitted that there should be no change in the present rate of duties, and that no import licences should be required for the bright steel nail wire used in the industry. This wire is imported from the sterling area.