AN APPEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1939, Page 5

AN APPEAL

FOR INCREASED PRODUCTION. (Per Press —Copyright.) 5 V_: A review and a, defence of the Government’s' poljcy of (import selection and exchange control was given by the Minister of Finance ~ and Customs (Honi W. Nash), in a, national radio broadcast from Wellingtonto-night. The Minister recited again circumstances which, he said/ had . compelled the Government to introduce the ; import licensing system. / j He contended ._that it was the best of several methods that had been suggested for meeting the position. '

Mr Nash, in an appeal to the New Zealand' manufacturers, said that, for their own and their country’s benefit, they should. lose no time in bringing their plant and organisation to the highest point of efficiency. * ; . He also urged the. workers to do their part to increase production and so .to maintain the country-s standard of living. *’ r , ( \ * The Minister referred to his coming visit to London. He.said that the New Zealand Government would do everything possible to reduce any difficulties that, might cornel to; United King-" dom manufacturers and others. - He was going to London to discuss trade, defence and the loan that was due to mature shortly. ; i y’

IMPORTERS’ STATEMENT.

WELLINGTON, April 26.

• The- importers’ National Committee, in a! statement, says •; ‘‘The manner in which the , Government ; proposes ■§ to deal with imports in the second period has come, as a very severe snock. Some firms which have, been hanging on in the hppe of more favourable, treatment will have to get out of business. ;and dismiss staffs. Others will be in the same position when stocks'are exhausted.; Many travellers jtvill have to be put off without delay to join : those previously.; .dismissed. Havoc and disruption being wrought generally in business is.appalling. Forbearance. of the importing community with; the Government . when ' import selection was first, introduced .was because importers realised that conservation of New Zealand’s funds in London to meet'the country’s debt'charges was of the! first importance; But the public. makes. a profound mistake, if. ..it. thinks that, in orderito pay our debts, devastation in business brought about by Government pplicy in iWs inatjteir- is an inevitable part of that necessity. ;It is nothing of (the kind. ’’• :