FREE ENTRY URGED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30410, 8 April 1964, Page 3

FREE ENTRY URGED

Wool Imports “Needed” (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 7. The Retailers’ Federation considered that restrictions placed upon wool imports should be removed immediately, the federation’s secretary (Mr D. P. Munro) said in submissions to the Tariff and Development Board today. The board is inquiring into tariff and licensing treatment of wool and man-made fibres, yarns and fabrics. The amount of wool available was far short of what was needed to meet the requirements of the public, Mr Munro said. This was one reason why the retail trade had been forced during recent years to buy and promote non-wool fabrics. “The federation is no more opposed to the woollen manufacturing industry than it is to the fishing industry, but if retailers cannot obtain their requirements in wool, they will sell non-wool goods. The retail trade would prefer to promote wool if it could get it.” Import Controls Any relaxation of import controls on wool could not be considered an impediment, to the development of the local industry. Excessive imports had not in the past had the slightest effect upon the production of local mills. The retail trade was disturbed at the way the interests of the consumer were ignored in regard to the availability of synthetic handknitting yarns because of protectionist theories.