Challenge on imports

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32565, 26 March 1971, Page 2

Challenge on imports

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 25. The Government has been challenged by Federated Farmers to publish the cost of import licensing protection given to manufacturers.

In a statement issued today the president of Federated Fanners (Mr A. C. Begg) claimed the cost to be more than s6oom yearly. He issued the challenge to the Minister of Customs (Mr Adams-Schneider). “The Minister will be well aware that the less rigorous protection by way of tariffs afforded to Australian manufacturers has been officially estimated at $2710m for the year 1967-68,” Mr Begg said.

“How can the Government expect, let alone request better access for our exports on overseas markets, when it

continues to drag its feet over the removal of import licensing on consumer goods, more than 80 per cent of which are now made locally. “On the one hand, the Minister continues to keep tight restrictions on the imports of most consumer goods, and on the other he has largely removed these restrictions on raw materials and machinery for the New Zealand manufacturer.

“In the light of these facts, the Minister’s recent call for the federation’s co-operation in the liberalisation of import controls is mere 'window dressing.’ While the federation fully supports the abolition of import licensing anyone surveying the proposed exemptions on consumer goods can see the exercise is nothing out a sham. This list includes many items such as balloons and airships, helicopters, tanks and other armoured vehicles, nuclear reactors, hand-operated butter chums and snaps for Christmas crackers.

“The snail’s pace of the removal of licensing restrictions on the importation of consumer goods is of little benefit to the public. Nor does it increase the much needed competition on the New Zealand market. “The New Zealand public has, for too long, been asked to foot an enormous bill of unknown dimensions,” said Mr Begg.