PROTECTION OF INDUSTRY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 12

PROTECTION OF INDUSTRY

Tariff Control Urged (N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN. May 31. The replacement of New Zealand's import controls by tariff barriers was suggested in Dunedin today by the recently-appointed Senior Trade Commissioner for the United Kingdom Mr J. L Reading. New Zealand was entering on a period of stability on overseas markets, Mr Reading said. "The balance of payments crisis is not a crisis any longer: it is something tha: has to be watched, certainly, but we feel that the stage has been reached when a good look should be taken at what is the future of New Zealand’s secondary industry. “Protection may be necessary for new industries —but never carte blanche, never feather-bedding for ever," he said. "We feel that the protection of secondary industry should be a completely separate matter from the balance of payments problem.” Mr Reading said that the quota system for butter inthe British market had improved New Zealand’s balance of payments situation by £10,500.000 Wool receipts this year had risen by £15.000,000. “The British Government now intends to carry out a somewhat similar operation with meat as that carried out with butter —not necessarily a quota system, but some means of managing the market." he said. AjS a result of this increased stability, he felt that New Zealand could afford to buy more from the United Kingdom. “Britain today provides only 43 per cent, of New Zealand’s overseas Requirements We hope to see that figure go back to at least 50 per cent.—it used to be 56 per cent.” Mr Reading said.