IMPORT CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 135, 9 May 1945, Page 3

IMPORT CONTROL

MODIFICATION WANTED. Following the receipt of a suggestion from the trade and commerce committee of tlie Paimerston North Chamber of Commerce that a conference of interested bodies bo called to discuss import control, the president (Mr F. G. Opie) said at a meeting of the chamber 'last night that the executive of the Associated Chambers was vitally interested in the matter. The executive desired chambers to forward their views to its next meeting. It was recognised that import control as it existed at the present time was most undesirable. A system of rationing exchange was a more 'sensible plan. He thought a modified import control system should be devised.

Mr H. Christmas said the committee wished to know the 'views of the importers, the manufacturers and other interested bodies. He moved that a conference be held of the interested bodies so as to prepare a report. The motion was adopted. The opinion was expressed by Mr J. H. Butler that import control betwcei\ the United Kingdom and New Zealand should be abolished at the earliest possible moment and he moved along these lines. Mr H. J. Falkner stated he ditl not think the manufacturers would agree to the total abolition of import control. Any Government would keep a system of such control. Mr Butler's motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

Mr Opie said he thought it would be a waste of time to make representations to the Government for abolition at the present time.