IMPORTS RESTRICTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1939, Page 5

IMPORTS RESTRICTION

“SETBACK TO INDUSTRY.” [per press association.] WELLINGTON October 20. “It is evident, from . the third schedule of imports that a great deal of careful consideration has been given to the making of the decisions,” says a statement by the New Zealand Manufacturers’! Federation. “A large proportion of the sterling funds available has been allotted to materials for manufacturing industries, upon which there now devolves the duty of making the best possible use of these licenses for the benefit of the country as a whole. “The amount of sterling funds available is not large. Accordingly, tor this further reason, the federation makes an appeal to all in industry, both employers and workers, to use every effort towards a most, economic and efficient production as a special war-time effort. “Unfortunately, these schedules should have been brought down some months ago in order to preserve the continuity of manufacturing. In practically all industries orders for materials from overseas take some months for delivery, and in manj cases a great deal longer. The position regarding the length of time necessary in respect of orders for materials is of course even worse in the present state of war. “It is to be regretted, therefore, that this set-back has been given, not only to expansion of industry, which has been so sedulously fostered and encouraged by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, hut even to the continuity of production.”

AUCKLAND CRITICISM. AUCKLAND, October 20The suggestion that the new third regulation of imports would divert trade to Great Britain was not correct, said .Mr AV. A. Boucher, president of the Auckland Bureau of Importers, to-night. He said that the new restrictions meant, the death-knell of a large number of organisations which had been holding on hoping for better conditions. Some trade might go to Great Britain, but it would not make up for that which was destroyed by the import regulations. The reason was that, traders were not allowed to secure new lines in Great Britain. Licenses for goods for which there was sale could not be increased.

It. seemed a pity, Mr Boucher said, that those who had been hoping for improved conditions should not have their wishes in any way gratified. AUSTRALIAN INTENTIONS. CANBERRA, October 21. Following the New Zealand example, the Federal Government contemplates the imposition cf drastic restrictions on the importation of a wide range of goods from neutral countries. The purpose of the restriction is to conserve Australia’s foreign credits, which may be used, if necessary, to purchase essential war materials from neutrals.