Manufacturers look to new authority

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 9

Manufacturers look to new authority

By

MARTIN FREETH

in Wellington

Manufacturers expect legislation from the Government this year to set up an independent authority to provide “emergency” protection against import competition. At a meeting yesterday, Manufacturers’ Federation executives, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Caygill, and the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Mrs Shields, agreed priority should be given to considering the form a new Emergency Protection Authority should take.

The federation’s direc-tor-general, Mr David Walker, said the authority was needed to examine the injury to particular companies from import competition as more goods move away from import licensing. The manufacturers want legislation to provide

for an independent authority capable of recommending a range of protection measures to the Government to help companies while they adjust to the new era of freer trade.

Mr Walker said the response from the Ministers was very positive. He said the meeting also discussed Government moves to create a freer labour market and to boost efficiency and accountability in the public sector. The Government is now reviewing all areas of public spending in preparation for the next Budget, expected in June or July.

Mr Walker said no date for further talks between the federation and the Government had been set down, but both would be working on details of the protection authority.