WARTIME MEASURES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1939, Page 8

WARTIME MEASURES

CONTROL AT HOME

REGULATIONS DISCUSSED

Some of the emergency regulations issued by the British Government to deal with war conditions were discussed by the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) in an address last night. Mr. Nash said that the laws passed by the British Government in connection with the control of imports and exports brought into being a procedure very similar, though in a limited form, to that used in New Zealand. Various exports and imports were prohibited except under licence, the main difference being that in England the Board of Trade was the controlling authority whereas in New Zealand it was done by the Customs Department. A long list of goods manufactured in the United Kingdom had been prohibited from export except by licence. This list embraced foodstuffs, raw materials, and manufactures. Many of the prices of these goods had been fixed so that the English user could obtain them at prices corresponding to those ruling before the war broke out. However, if the manufacturer exported the goods, he could take higher prices from the overseas buyer.

The British Treasury had a procedure whereby it could equalise the position as between the manufacturer of the goods for the'British home market and the manufacturer of goods for the British export market. Another ! Act gave the Treasury power to issue licences for. or lower duties on various imports. The control of imports had' been instituted in order to safeguard England's overseas funds. ' There were regulations and: orders prohibiting imports of certain goods except under licence*. For example, imports of luxuries, were prohibited as well as goods' which-- England itself could supply^ The Ministry of Supply in England liad issued dozens of; regulations to ensure the control of-sup-plies and prices of yarious materials. CONTROL OF EMPLOYMENT. 1 Legislation, dealing with, the control of employment was referred to by Mr. Nash. He said the main }, object of this measure was to make certain,that the man-power and the womanpower of the; nation was lised-to the

There were regulations and: orders prohibiting imports of certain goods except under licence*. For example, imports of luxuries, were prohibited as well as goods' which-- England itself could supply^ The Ministry of Supply in England liad issued dozens of; regulations to ensure the control of-sup-plies and prices of Yarious materials.

CONTROL OF EMPLOYMENT.

Legislation, dealing with the control of employment was referred to by Mr. Nash. He said the main object of this measure was to make certain that the man-power and the womanpower of the nation was used-to the best advantage in the war. The measure placed restrictions on employers in the m'atter of advertising, and it would be illegal for an employer after due date to advertise-a vacancy for an' employee without the Ministers consent.

Regulations issued on August 25 for the control of securities, capital issue, and currency were also discussed, by the Minister. "Under these regulations," he said, "the British Treasury has authority to direct the owners of shares, stock, bonds, notes, debentures, and Treasury bills to make a return with full particulars of them to the Treasury. If," in the opinion of the Government, it, is considered expedient to do so in order to strengthen the defence position of the United Kingdom, an order may then be made transferring to the Treasury any of, the securities mentioned at a price whicb is not less than the amount ■of their value in the opinion of the Treasury, In the same way, every person' who owns any. gold coin or gold bullion must offer that coin or bullion to the Treasury, which will purchase it at a price fixed by the Treasury. • "There is a prohibition against' the transfer of any securities or gold except to the Treasury, and travellers leaving the country are prohibited from taking w.ith them any currency or securities except with special permission. Power is given for a Customs officer to search travellers de-, parting from the United Kingdom to make certain that the provisions of regulations are not being evaded. The ordinary provisions with regard to Post Office Savings Banks in England were suspended on the outbreak of war, and the amount of any person's withdrawal was limited to £3 a day. Special provision was also made for withdrawals where necessary to be effected through trading banks, but the same limit of £3 a day applied in these cases. " ' »