Britain and N.Z.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 December 1944, Page 2

Britain and N.Z.

POST-WAR TRADE PROSPECT

(N Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) . LONDON, Dec. 28. Enquiries into the prospects of post-war trade between Britain and New Zealand indicate that there is a readiness here to start as soon as war ; time restrictions are lifted, and what ; is equally important, as soon as the New Zealand Government allows orders to be placed. Apart from essen- ’ tial exports, which have been con- , tinned during the war, to New Zea- ( land, in common with other countries, war needs and short supply of labour have occupied all attention of the British manufacturers and will continue to do so until the German war, at least, is ended. Britain is well aware of the necessity of regaining and extending her pre-war trade, and to this end six hundred firms have already been allowed by the Government to plan for post-war trade, while plans are also being prepared to switch factories, engaged in wartime production, to peacetime work. To use the rather monotonous stock cliche, “there is still a war on” and until it is ended Britain cannot turn her individual attention to exporting. Comments received from various exporters on post-war Bri-tish-New Zealand trade includes such remarks as “there is little to say at § resent, because until the war is won Titain’s export trade must take second place,” and “it is impossible to specify the difficulties that may be expected, as these'are entirely dependent on the attitude of New Zealand towards their secondary and primary industries. If the latter is extended,, 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 the system of preference in imports from this country, this will help considerably. We do not anticipate there being any substantial difficulty in exporting from here. We must export, and as we shall require large supplies of food it is sin-, cerely hoped that we shall be able to establish a substantial reciprocal trade.” It re-emphasised that the immediate prospects, not yet clear, cannot improve until the German war is ended.

There is, it must be admitted, and as previously reported, some concern by British exporters at New Zealand’s 1945 list of complete prohibition 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, is expressed by its chairman, Mr D .Vernon Tomson. He said: “The Association is very hesitant of complaining at New Zealand’s attitude, particularly in view of its excellent war record, but we do VIEW WITH APPREHENSION this continual prohibiting of imports, which began before and has continued during the war. It is particularly puzzling, in view of the recent truce agreement, whereby Britain increased her payments to New Zealand for her primary produce.” He added: “Members of the Asociation could increase exports to New Zealand considerably to-morrow if the orders came from New Zealand and permission for export was given by the Board of Trade. There is no lack of shipping and no lack of manufacturing ability in Britain. But, the present tendency of New Zealand, apparently, was, instead of increasing orders, to apply further prohibitions.” “We understand Mr Nash has been asked how long he intends to continue restrictions, but that he has given no answer.”

The reply given to this view by New Zealand circles here, is that the United Kingdom raised its payments to New Zealand because 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 a proportion is now being bought by the Government. For instance, certain hardware purchased by it in conjunction with Consolidated Importers, Ltd. It was remarked: “It is true that there is no shipping shortage at present, but it could easily become a bottleneck. It is also true that the manufacturers in Britain could supply orders from Nev/ Zealand to-day.—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 work.