INDIAN IMPORT CONTROLS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28447, 29 November 1957, Page 13

INDIAN IMPORT CONTROLS

Capital Goods Needed

Restrictions by the Indian Government on imports in recent months had been imposed because India had to find more foreign exchange for the capital goods needed for its second fiveyear plan, which was for industrialisation, Mr P. A. Menon, the High Commisioner for India in Australia and New Zealand, told members of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Difficulties had arisen not through any economic problems within the country, he said, but from the magnitude of the country’s programmes for advancement.

Of trade with New Zealand, Mr Menon said that in the past exports from India had been jute products, cotton textiles, tea and skins. For the future, India would have considerably more scope in exporting some types of machinery. It had already exported some machines.

In return, India took fairly big quantities of skimmed milk powder, although at present they were subject to import restriction.

Mr Menon gave, his audience India’s views on its place in the world. He said its attitude that peace could only be found by a peaceful approach to world problems was nothing new in India. It was a traditional attitude, emphasised in Hindu teachings, by Buddha, Jesus Christ and by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, who had led India to independence.

India, he said, was attempting to project into the international field the same standards and ideals everyone tried to adopt in private life.