N.Z. IMPORT CUTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20379, 16 October 1940, Page 6

N.Z. IMPORT CUTS

deep disappointment BRITISH EXPORTERS WARTIME TRADE VITAL BIRMINGHAM PROTEST (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives Association has received the following cable message from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce: “The United Kingdom manufacturers are able and anxious to export to New Zealand. They are, however, bravely disappointed at the severity of the import restrictions, as well as with regard to the ungenerous time limit imposed for the fourth period. Shipping conditions, consequent upon the war, justify latitude by the New Zealand Government, who understand the conditions fully. They know that the United Kingdom exports are vital to the successful prosecution of the War.” Full Response Prevented Commenting on the message, Mr. E. A. Christie, president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives Association, said the cable dispelled any doubt regarding the ability and desire of the United Kingdom manufacturers and exporters to supply this market, and emphasised that- New Zealand must import from the United Kingdpm to the fullest possible extent in order to respond to the United Kingdom- wir export drive. Unfortunately, the New Zealand restrictions on United Kingdom imports for 1941 would prevent a full response to the urgent demands of the United Kingdom manufacturers for more exports.

It was evident that the ruling that licenses to import goods would expire on December 31 if the goods had not arrived in New Zealand by that date was viewed with general disapproval and disappointment by the British manufacturers. The cable must cause New Zealanders tp wqnder whether the import restrictions, by prohibiting the importation of no less than 320 tariff items and sub-items out of a total of 632, was in step with the United Kingdom battle cry: ’’Export Or expire—Britain delivers the goods.”