BRITISH TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1939, Page 6

BRITISH TRADE

EXPORTS DURING WAR

MAINTENANCE ESSENTIAL

The claim that there is growing in New Zealand an incorrect impression that because of Avar conditions manufacturers in the United Kingdom were n6t at present interested in.producing goods for export was made yesterday by Mr. A. W. Hawley, New Zealand representative of the Federation of British Industries. He said the necessity for maintaining .Britain's export trade in time of war had been stressed in a circular sent out by the federation on September 6 to all members of trade organisations in the United Kingdom. The circular stated ;■ that after consultation with the Government the federation desired to make the following announcement to its members: "The maintenance of our export trade is vital in war no'less than in peace as was made clear by the Government in the statement today by the President of the Board of Trade in the House of Commons, Mr. Oliver Stanley, who said: T am glad of this opportunity to emphasise the vital importance which' his Majesty's Government attaches to the maintenance of the export trade, and the high priority which should be given to exports among the various demands on the country's economic resources. For their part, the Government will use every effort to ensure that the country's exporting capacity is used to the best advantage consistent Avith the satisfaction of essential home requirements and overriding war needs. They trust that manufacturers in this country will in the national interest take the fullest advantage of all opportunities of export.'" The circular then added:. : "Manufacturers and traders are ac- j cordingly urged tb do all they can to maintain their existing overseas connections and export organisation. The F. 8.1., on its side, Avill do everything in its power to ensure that the needs of the export trade receive the fullest possible consideration, subject to the requirements of the fighting services, in all arrangements that may be made for allocating supplies, establishing i priorities, etc. - "In particular} the federation has set up machinery to ensure that— Avhere an organisation for the purpose does not exist in the trade concernedexport inquiries which are received by firms not in a position to execute them can be passed on to firms able to do so. \ ■•''■',""'■ "Developments of Government requirements and regulations must be expected from time to time as the situation changes." ~ . : -