BRITISH EXPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 156, 30 December 1944, Page 9

BRITISH EXPORTS

POST-WAR OUTLOOK

I NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY A (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrlfllit,) ' LONDON, Dec. 28. i Inquiries into the prospects of postwar trade between Britain and New Zealand indicate that there will be I readiness here to start as soon, as wartime restrictions are lifted, and, what is equally important, as soon as the New Zealand Government allows orders to be placed. Apart from essential exports, which have been continued throughout the war to New Zealand in common with other countries, war needs and the short supply of labour, have occupied all the attention of British manufacturers, and will continue to do so until the German war at least is ended. Britain is well | aware of the necessity for regaining and extending her pre-war trade," and to this end 600 firms have already Ibeen allowed by the Government to ; plan for post-war trade, and plans' are being prepared for the switching of I factories engaged in war production to peacetime work. ■ To use a rather monotonous stock cliche, there is still a, war on, and until it is ended Britain cannot turn | individual attention to exporting.

DEFINITE STATEMENTS IMPOSSIBLE.

Comments received from various exporters on post-war trade with New Zealand include such remarks as "there' is little to say at present, be- | cause until the war is won Britain's; export trade,must .take second place," and "it is ' impossible to specify, the difficulties that may be expected, as these are entirely dependent oh the attitude of New Zealand towards their I secondary and primary industries. If ! the secondary industries are extended j there will be a potential market for | all types of machinery, most types of (which would no doubt be available from this country. If New Zealand decides to assist the United Kingdom by maintaining a system of preference i for imports from this country, this i will help considerably. We do not anticipate substantial difficulty in exporting from here. We must expor*and as we shall require large supplies' of food it is sincerely hoped we shall be able to establish substantial reciprocal trade." It is re-emphasised that the immediate prospects are not yet clear and cannot improve until the German war is ended. There is some concern among British exporters over New Zealand's 1945 list of complete prohibitions of certain imports Views on this subject of the Australian and New Zealand Merchant Shippers' Association, representing every class of merchant trading with Australia and New Zealand are expressed by its chairman. Mr D *Vernon Tomson. He said: "The association is very hesitant of complaining at New Zealand's attitude, particular ly in view of its excellent war record: I but we do view with apprehension this continual prohibiting of imports, which began before the war and has^continued throughout the war. It is particularly puzzling in view of the recent trade. agreement by which Britain is increasing her payments to New 1 her wiraary. produce." H e added .that members of the association could increase exports to New Zealand considerably tomorrow, if orders came i from New Zealand and permission to export were given by the Board of Trade.

UNANSWERED INQUIRY.

There was no lack of shipping and no lack of manufacturing ability in S> n& m' r, BV t i* 112 Present tendency of New Zealand apparently was, instead of mcreasing orders, to apply fFi he/, pr(£hibitions- "we understand that Mr. Nash has been asked how long he intends to continue the restric «ons, but that he has given no answer " The reply given to this view by New Zealand circles here is that the P nlr d Kingdom raised its payments to New Zealand because, among other reasons, the Dominion's costs of buying goods in England and elsewhere have increased. As regards the prohibition of goods, this is stated to be not so severe as might at first appear, because of the proportion now being bought by the Government, for instance, certain hardware purchased by it in conjunction with Consolidated Importers. Ltd. It is remarked that it is true there is no shipping shortage at present, but it could easily become a bottle-neck. It is also true thai manufacturers in Britain could supply orders from New Zealand today but so could they supply orders from all over Britain and from many other countries; but they are prohibited from doing so in order that the war effort may not be weakened by diverting the short supply of labour to unessential