IMPORT CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 6

IMPORT CONTROL

THE FUTURE POLICY

(Per Press Association.—Copyright)

AUCKLAND, May 1

An indication that the import restriction as it now existed, would not be a permanent feature of New Zea-' land’s economy, but the measure of control would be exercised for the pr tection of the Dominion tnamifact""ers, was given by the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, in reply to a question. The question was as to whether New Zealand might look forward to the present measure of import control as being a permanency. The Minister said that this was not the case. He explained how the depletion of the sterling funds had made the import control necessary. He remarked that, out of the import control, there had arisen another need, that of providing, as far as possible in Now Zealand the goods that previously were being imported. When the sterling funds had been built up. Mr Nash stated, some measure of relaxation of the restrictions would be possible. “To that extent that we induce neople to put plant and equipment to work to produce here goods that previously were shipped to New Zealand, we shall have' to think of them bofoi’o any changes are made,” Mr Nash said. He added that whatever procedure would bo followed to reduce friction abroad, that might have been caused by- the restrictions, would be followed without in any way sacrificing the/local manufacturers;’