N.Z.’s IMPORT POLICY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28528, 6 March 1958, Page 3

N.Z.’s IMPORT POLICY

Effect On British Exporters

There had not been as many complaints about New Zealand’s import restrictions as he would have expected, but it was early yet, said the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner in New Zealand (Mr M. E. Browne) when he visited Christchurch for the first time yesterday. The new trade policy had given his office a lot of work, he said, because it was not purely a trade promotion office. It acted as an information service for Britain, providing an economic survey after assessing local developments. There was no doubt that some British exporters would be hit hard by the import restrictions, he said. Like them, he hoped that the restrictions would be an expedient to overcome a difficult position, and not a permanent means of protecting all New Zealand manufacturing. Manufacturing, he said, must have healthy competition, and it would not be a good thing for local industry to be completely protected for all time by restrictions.

Prices for New Zealand butter had dropped, and Britain incorrectly had been getting the blame, he said, but it should not blind persons to the fact that there was a solid basis of trade between Britain and the Dominion.

pciduus me loti nidi iucit woo a solid basis of trade between Britain and the Dominion. Although he has been in New Zealand for about 12 months, this is the first time Mr Browne has been able to get to the South Island—he visited Dunedin before coming to Christchurch—but he says it will not be his last, nor will the next be so long away. While in Christchurch until Friday evening he is visiting several factories and meeting manufacturers and businessmen.