“IMPORTS CHAOTIC”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22612, 15 April 1948, Page 4

“IMPORTS CHAOTIC”

GOODS MR. HOLLAND’S VIEWS "LICENSE VALUES HALVED” (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 15. “It is high time that the argument about whether New Zealand is locking out Britain's exports or whether Britain ihas asked New Zealand to limit her imports of British goods is settled,” said | the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. 'Holland. I “Britain has stated in the clearest terms that she must increase her exj ports substantially and, indeed, is allocating her vital raw materials to : those manufacturers who undertake to ship finished products overseas. “Who Are We To Believe” “Next we hear of an importer being refused licenses to import British goods which are definitely available for export from Britain to New Zealand, and now vve are told by Britain that import restrictions in overseas markets are holding Britain back from achieving her import target. Then, Mr. Nash comes along and tells us that all is well "Who are we to believe?” asked Mr. Holland. “Mr Nash consistently harps on the value of imports from Britain in 1946 being related to value of imports from Britain in 1938, and he claims that on that basis licenses are being issued for a reasonable supply of the goods concerned. "What Mr. Nash knows perfectly well, but what he studiously avoids saying, is that prices have advanced to such an extent that in many cases less than half the quantity of goods can be imported in 1948 with the same amount ot money used in 1938. Sources of Supply Cut Off “What Mr. Nash also carefully avoids telling the people is that many of the 193 ti sources of supply have now been cut off, which makes the position so much worse. "Cases could be quoted where imports have been reduced by 75 per cent, and more, because licenses are issued in relation to 1938 since when prices have increased by more than double in many cases, and also because certain 1938 sources of supply are no longer available. "The import licensing system has become chaotic and many people are suspicious that the withholding of licenses is because Mr. Nash is determined to pay off debts to Britain which, if correct, cuts right across his earlier statement that he should never endeavour to pay off debts while our people go short of the things they need.”