MIGHT LOSE MARKET

Evening Star, Issue 25620, 22 October 1945, Page 8

MIGHT LOSE MARKET

ANTAGONISING BRITAIN OUR IMPORT RESTRICTIONS There was no doubt that. New Zealand remained the “ white-haired boy” of the dominions so far as the people of England were concerned, said Mr W. A. Dentice, a Wellington business man, who returned to New Zealand recently after a trip which tool; him by air around the world. At the same time, however, faced with the enormous task of rehabilitating their industry and putting their export trade back on a sound footing, English people were commencing to ask questions about the import restrictions

which prevented New Zealand from taking a lot of their goods,

and there was a danger if this system were continued that the Dominion would lose the good name which the exploits of her servicemen had won for her among the people of Britain. “ Once anyone in England finds you are a New Zealander his hospitality and eagerness to be of assistance become almost embarrassing,” said Mr Dentice. “ There are a lot of reasons for this, but the main one, I think, is the fact that all our servicemen who have been in the United Kingdom during the war have been individual ambassadors of goodwill,, and have mado a lasting and popular impression on the minds and hearts off the British people. The fact, too, that New Zealand left her division to carry on the fight in the Middle East at a time whon her own shores seemed threatened with invasion by the Japanese has earned for us a lasting and affectionate regard.” Now, however, the British people were facing up to the task of restoring their peace-time industry and export markets, Mr Dentice continued, and were looking to New Zealand to take as much of British-manufactured articles as she could. They pointed to the fact that Britain was the main customer for the Dominion’s exportable produce, and wondered at the discrimination shown by the import restrictions which our Government had applied, preventing Britain from exporting to New Zealand as much of her manufactured exports as she would like. He feared that if this state of affairs continued Britain would be forced to turn to the Baltic countries in years to come for much of the produce she formerly took from New Zealand, just as a matter of the balance of trade. If once New Zealand antagonised the British manufacturers the opportunity to repair the damage might not recur. British exports could find markets in the countries which supplied food products in competition with New Zealand, who might then find herself at a loss for a market.

The'impact of the cessation of lendlease occurred while Mr Dentice was in Britain, and at first caused considerable dismay, lie said. It was noticeable, however, that the attitude changed in the next few days, and the British commercial interests mentally rolled up their sleeves to make the'best of the situation by their own efforts and work, “ The main impression J got about Britain was that it was a nation of hungry people,” Mr Dentice added. “ They just haven’t got enough to eat there, and the position is worse now than it was during the war years. There is a decided lack of the most nourishing foods, and particularly of fats; and the steaks I later got served in the United States would have made a week’s meat ration for a small family in England. The people were very grateful for New Zealand’s action in imposing rationing, not because of food shortage, but in order to be able to export more food «> to Britain, but I feel, after seeing their rations, that we could do even more for them than we are now. . “ On the other hand, the United States is a land, of plenty. They’ve got everything there except nylon stockings. ’ ’ ■