IMPORT CONTROL

Evening Star, Issue 23753, 7 December 1940, Page 12

IMPORT CONTROL

DOMINION POLICY ENDORSED

MESSAGE FROM BRITAIN

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, December 7, A telegram relating to import control has been received from the United Kingdom for publication, and released by the Government. It says: “ The effective prosecution of the war, which is the principal aim of both Governments, calls for the most careful conservation of financial resources and of productive capacity in order that they may be devoted as fully as possible to the war effort.

” The heavy and increasing demand that the war is making on the gold and dollar, resources of the Empire necessitates the greatest economy, not only in direct dollar purchases by Empire countries, but in the import of goods the manufacture of which is based on raw materials that have to be purchased in dollars. In addition to the question of finance there is need for adapting productive capacity as fully as possible to the requirements of the war effort.

“ Generally speaking, the resources of Empire countries are becoming fully employed, and the extension of the war effort demands the diversion of labour, plant, and productive capacity from activities which do not directly increase their strength for war. Thus, the increasing claims that the war is making on the financial and productive resources of the Empire call fop* a policy which, while avoiding undue dislocation and hardship, will secure the necessary restriction of production and consumption of non-essential goods Steps have already been taken in the United Kingdom to this end, more especially by the limitation and reduction of the sales and consumption of many* classes of consumer goods.” '