IMPORT POLICY DISPUTE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27832, 3 December 1955, Page 8

IMPORT POLICY DISPUTE

AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MANUFACTURING FIRM RESIGNS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 2. A large Auckland manufacturing firm has cancelled its membership of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, on the ground that the import policy of the Associated Chambers of Commerce is not in the interests of manufacturers and the community. A number of other manufacturers are expected to resign. They resent the chamber’s traditional opposition to import controls, and claim that the chamber is favouring the views of a minority—the importers. -They want import controls to remain. The president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Mr D. S. Cox) said tonight that the Chamber of Commerce supported the policy of the Government in moving gradually from import selection to tariff protection as a means of assisting the manufacturing industry. The chamber recognised, however, that in some cases a tariff might not be sufficient protection, and import control might therefore be necessary as an emergency measure, he said. The Board of Trade had been established at the request of the business community, including the Manufacturers’ Federation, and its findings should be supported by all concerned. “The Chambers of Commerce, representing all sections of the business community, are concerned with a whole economy, and are not unmindful of interests of the consumer,” said Mr Cox. At the request of the AuckChamber, discussions would shortiy be held with the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association.