RUSSIAN GOODS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 92, 20 April 1933, Page 12

RUSSIAN GOODS

IMPORTS TO DOMINION

CABINET TO JJIEET

POSSIBLE RESTRICTION

PETROL POSITION

The question of restricting the imports of Russian goods into New Zealand will be considered at a meeting of Cabinet-on Monday next. In an, interview by telephone today, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes), who is at his home at Cheviot, said that the .question would be taken into immediate consideration in view of the attitude adopted by the Home Government. He was unable to say at the moment what the New Zealand Government would do, but a decision would be reached early next week. Mr. Forbes said that He was returning to Wellington on Sunday morning, and he would call Cabinet together on Monday. Discussing the subject last week, the Prime Minister said the Government was keeping in close touch with developments, and in the event of the Home Government deciding to take action under the Russian Goods Imports Prohibition Act New Zealand would no doubt follow suit. Mr. Forbes said he did not think it would be necessary to pass legislation to deal with any situation that might arise. The Government, he believed, already possessed all the necessary powers for restricting imports. . . The Year Book does not show the extent of the Russian imports into New Zealand as they, are not considerable enough to deserve separate . mention, but a "Post" reporter obtained the official figures from the Customs Department. These reveal that there has been a marked drop in the value of Russian' imports since 1928, but an indication that the drop is about to be arrested is provided by the figures for the first three months of the present year. The value of imports for the three months is £32,179 and of this amount petrol accounts for £28,100. The following table shows the value of the imports from Russia since 1928: 1028 43,f1f>9 1029 2T,0H4 1080- 21,587 M3l 15,6<M 1932 8.5538 •• 1933 (tlireo months) .... *4,079 1033 (three months) .... +32,179 *Not including bulk petrol recently landed, tlncluding petrol. , . ' Direct exports from New Zealand to Russia are -negligible. The principal imports from Russia during the last four years are shown in the following table: — , 1929. ID3O. 1931. 1932. ?SL?tw-::::: £ & I «S Fursldns, dressed .. 4410 3708 4708 3709 ATp rarel indlld:.. fl.' r. 204 220' 591 164 Mineral oils 65C, 983 47fi 326 Oak timber ■ 2577 1234 2815 — Veneers and plywood 943 2908 <01 830 Brushmakers' .materls. 6179 624 d 2621 1431 Wooden matches ... 66 IS3 1494 64 Caustic soda — — I-9 oSI