IMPORT CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 92, 12 January 1939, Page 10

IMPORT CONTROL

Little Change Seen In Situation

FIRST SHOCK OVER

Importers Await Result Of

Appeals

Little change in the situation created by the operation of the import control regulations was seen in Wellington yesterday. From licences already issued, importers of many lines are able to form some estimate of how they will fare. Recovering from the first shock of drastic reductions imposed, they are now awaiting anxiously the result of appeals. Firms dealing in softgoods are probably more in the dark than any other class. Inquiries yesterday failed to discover one that had received a licence. In most cases applications were lodged several weeks ago, and the belief is growing that the Ciistoms Department has a special reason for withholding licences for this class of imports. Wholesale booksellers, too, are still without licences, but current overseas publications are being admitted under a special temporary arrangement. Delay Serious. Meantime it is pointed out by all classes of importers that the delay is becoming increasingly serious. Orders which should be sent overseas for next summer’s requirements are still held up, and it is considered that, unless immediate action is taken, factories maj‘ be unable to execute orders in time for the Dominion’s requirements. General regret is expressed that the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, has not responded to repeated appeals for a frank statement of the Government’s intentions. . The fear that no adequate survey of the capacity of the country’s secondary industries has been made is reiterated, some wholesalers stating that even in the past local manufacturing firms have often been unable to meet the demand. It has been suggested that, when stocks become depleted, the law of supply and demand will force up retail prices: on the other hand it is pointed out that the Minister of Industries ami Commerce. Mr. Sullivan, some lime ago gave a definite warning that, “if unwarranted increases in prices took place, the Government would have no option but to take any step it considered necessary in the public interest to control the position. Manufacturers Confident. Manufacturers, generally, are reluctant to discuss proposals for trade extension. probably because of lack of specific knowledge of what avenues of production will have to be exploited. They claim, however, to be confident of their ability to fulfil the increased demand for Dominion products that is expected to result from the restriction of imports. One local radio manufacturer said yesterday that he expected within 12 months to be able to enlarge his factory to employ at least 100 additional hands. It is generally agreed that the chief difficulty facing manufacturers is the shortage of labour, but the opinion is held that a number of clerical workers and storemen, who may be displaced from importing firms, will be absorbed into the manufacturing industry. The head Of a softgoods importing firm said yesterday that apprentices were hard to get. If production was to be increased, workers must realize that when they bad got good labour conditions, they must protect them by speeding up their work.

MORE SPECTACULAR THAN EFFECTIVE

Description Of Auckland Action By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. The suggestion emanating from the Bureau of Importers, Auckland, that the Governor-General should issue a proclamation nullifying the operation of the new import regulations is regarded in Christchurch as being “spectacular and imaginative rather than effective.” In those terms it was described by rhe representative of a leading firm today. It was added that industry stood a better chance of achieving its objective by following up criticism of the regulations with some alternative and constructive proposal which could be submitted to the Government for consideration. It was at that point that i the Auckland importers had fallen short. Tlteir attitude was neither helpful to the Government nor to industry. The bureau in any case overlooked the Government’s power to make any legislative adjustments that might be found necessary to maintain the regulations. Industry generally would welcome the new move made by the Minister of Labour to set up an advisory council to assist in the drafting of industrial legislation. It was a matter for regret that the same procedure had not been adoped by Mr. Savage and Mr. Nash in endeavouring to formulate a more workable system of imports than the one now in force. DETAILS SOUGHT / Representative Of American Firms By Telegraph—Press Association DUNEDIN, January 11. A passenger by the Maunganui is Mr. L. IV. Coulsen. representing American firms supplying New Zealand wPH goods ranging from cosmetics to arc welders. He is en route to Wellington to learn the details of the restrictions before reporting to his principals Mr. Coulsen said that American manufacturers were always willing to accept the rules of other countries, but they' must know what they were before operating further.