“IMPROPER ATTACK”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 18, 17 December 1938, Page 9

“IMPROPER ATTACK”

BY BRITISH INDUSTRY.

NEW ZEALAND’S POLICY

PAPER’S CONDEMNATION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received December 17, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 16. Tile News-Chronicle, in a leader, says that the British Industries Federation's attack on New f Zealand’s policy is both improper and unconstitutional. It is monstrous, says the paper, that because New Zealand happens to have a Labour Government, which is initiating certain experiments, British big business should threaten to force the Government to reprisals. Such an action both menaces Constitutional government and a Dominion’s independence.

The News-Chroneile adds : Mr Malclom MacDonald recently spoke on nationalism, by which some of the Dominions have been bitten. We can imagine nothing so likely to break up the Empire as the Federation’s economic nationalism.

IMPORTATION OF GOODS. GRANTING OF LICENSES. SYDNEY. Dec. 16. The New Zealand Trade Commissioner (Mr W. Taylor) has been officially advised that the New Zealand Government is granting licenses for the importation of any goods for which firm offers were placed overseas on or before December 5, provided the quantities are not abnoraml and importers furnish forthwith at the port of intended importation copies of all orders for such goods. New Zealand importers must apply for a license and non-resident traders must appoint attorneys in New Zealand to make application on their behalf. BUY BRITISH GOODS. MR SAVAGE’S STATEMENT. , Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. The desire of the Government to increase purchases by New Zealand from Great Britain was referred to by the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. M. J. Savage) when invited this evening to comment on the London cable message containing criticism by a British industrialist of the import control regulations as a breach of the Ottawa Agreement. He said everything possible would be done to safeguard Britain. “We have already told the British people we are prepared to spend every shilling we get from them in the purchase of goods and services provided by Britain,” said Mr Savage. “We can’t do more than that. The policy of the Government to-day is not necessarily bad, even from the point of view of those who don’t like the look of the exchange control. It is the use made of any policy that decides whether it is good or bad in form. “We have stated quite definitely that we hope to increase our purchases from Britain, and whatever happens, we cannot do less than take British goods in return for the goods Britain takes from us,” the Prime Minister said. ‘.‘Anything that looks indefinite in that respect will be placed beyond doubt. The Government will make any sort ■of agreement that will safeguard Britain.”