Import Controls

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 3

Import Controls

Sir, —Could you write a leading article on the affect on shipping, under the new import restrictions. It would appear that ships will sail from the United Kingdom with holds not full, very • uneconomic, and a rise in freight ; rates will be bound to occur. The alternative is reduced tonnage, i Should the latter take place, I I foresee freezing work hold ups, wealth on the hooks earning no interest, chilled meat Worthless, and farmers’ breeding programmes upset. The Crown revenue from customs will be heavily reduced. And in conclusion, there will be a very appreciable reduction in the pay packet of the , watersiders, and the ugly shadow of redundancy over them.—Yours, etc., V. F. BOYLE. January 8, 1958.

Sir, —I think Mr Nash has been too precipitate in imposing import controls. He could have imposed a selection control first, and if not effective put the brakes on harder later. Raise the trading bank rate as England has done. This would have a salutary influence on all importers. —Yours, etc., C. D. TAYLOR. January 8, 1958.

Sir,—Sermons in stones; books in the running brooks, and humour in the import selection schedules! I must thank “M.T.” for his subtle contribution, a bright note in an otherwise gloomy week. He has, however, overlooked Mr Boord’s contribution to the arts. Kinder than Mr Nash in 1938, he has offered me a grain of comfort and interpolated a sweet sound into his schedules. I find that I still can. if so minded, treat myself to a tuning fork.—Yours, etc., MUSIC HATH CHARMS. January 8, 1958.

Sir,-—Mr Lush’s thoughtful observations seem to me eminently sound. If stringent, controls are to be placed on imports it seems a little odd that with one Parliamentary seat still undecided, and the -representatives of the electorate so evenly divided, these decisions are confidently being made a fortnight before the new Parliament meets. Governing by decree is, of course, a good timesaving expedient but hardly an acceptable one -toi a democratic nation if it bothers tq the matter a thoughtr cheerful assertibn e 'We|. y we do without pepper suggests a comfortingly undiscerning palate which she and others like her miy have reason to bless in a fu‘ure devoid of the pleasanter adjuncts to diet Yours, etc., fcARACTACUS. January 9. 1958.