Imports Heavily Cut for the Second Period

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 6

Imports Heavily Cut for the Second Period

Many Classes of Goods Totally Prohibited

BRITAIN GIVEN PREFERENCE

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 23,

Comprehensive lists setting out the full details of the Government’s stipulations in connection with the import regulations for the second period of six months this year were issued by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, on Saturday. The Minister said that the whole position would require to be reviewed later in the year, and it was hoped that considerable relaxation would be possible in respect of next year’s imports. There are upwards of 350 items and sub-items of the Customs tariff upon which no restriction of imports is being applied beyond a limitation to the level of the imports during the corresponding period of 1938. The second list issued by the Minister represents goods which are subject to restriction. It covers 380 items and sub-items, and of these 220 are subject to 100 per cent, reductions Complete Prohibition A complete prohibition has been placed on the importation of a number of goods and articles. Those in this category include coal, chewing-gum, beer, confectionery, matches, gramophones, spaghetti, cigarettes, cigars, cut tobacco, apparel made to order, skirts, pyjamas, wireless receiving sets, millinery, carpets and lirioleum. Imports of unassembled or completely knocked down motor-vehicles are to bo reduced by 40 per cent, from all sources, but it is stated that consideration will be given to the granting of licenses for unassembled vehicles up to GO per cent, of the value of complete vehicles during the corresponding period of 1938. All other kinds of motor-vehicles are prohibited. There are some 50 items under which partial reductions are made in imports from Britain and 100 per cent, reductons will be effected in imports from other British countries and foreign countries. These include cocoa, mustard, perfumed spirits, etc., certain disinfectants (not including sheep dip and weed and scrub-killing preparations), bootlaces, etc., other than leather, certain classes of drapery, furs, etc., madeup apparel, etc., certain haberdashery, laces and ribbons, textile piece-goods, dressnets, curtain nets, etc., textile piecegoods of wool or containing wool, portmanteaux, trunks, etc., certain paperbags, envelopes, etc., sheepshearing and horseclipping machines, sewing machines, domestic types (excluding parts), weighing scales, etc., gas-h'eating and cooking appliances, carpet-sweepers, etc., cordage, rope and twine, etc. (except sashcord.) Goods Not Reduced. About 20 classes show no reduction In the United Kingdom and Crown Colonies. Among these classes are macaroni, vermicelli, etc., sulphuric acid, certain canvas boots and shoes, gumboots, etc., cigarette tubes, papers etc., cardboard boxes, etc., paper manufactures, certain electric lamps, sheet lead, rubber (not including sponge rubber) in sheet, strip, cord or channel, being composed wholly of compound or vulcanised rubber, and bituminous roofing compounds. Among the other classes the following are noteworthy, percentage of reductions being given in. the order: From United Kingdom and the Crown Colonies; from other British countries; from foreign countries: — All kinds of cleansing soaps, 50, 80, 100. Children's hosiery, nil, 100, 100. Furs dressed, but not made up, nil, 55, 55. Certain classes of textile piecegoods, nil, 55, 55. Umbrellas, parasols and sunshades, 40, 50, 80. Hose tubing or piping, etc., nil, 100. 100. Solid rubber tyres, etc., nil, nil, 75. Chinaware for table use, nil, 100, 100. Other chinaware, 50, 80, 100. Certain glassware, 50, 80, 100. Sporting Apparatus. Fancy goods and toys, walking sticks, hair and toilet combs, 50, 80, 100. Hockey sticks and cricket bats, nil, 55. 100. Sporting, gaming and athletic requisite, 33 1-3, 80, 80. Plategold or silver jewellery, plated ware (excluding cutlery), 50, 80, 100. Tnotographic cameras, 50, 50, 50. Precious stones, 55, 55, 55. Tobacco, pipes, pouches, etc., nil, 70, 80. Toilet preparations, SC, 75, 80. Watches, nil, 20, 40. Adding and computing machines, 25 75, 75. Cultivators, harrows (except parts), nil, 55, 70. Motor-vehicle engines, 40, 40, 40. Certain electric appliances and machinery, 50, 75, 75. Electric, ranges, 55, 55, 100. Certain hardware, hollowarc and ironmongery, 50, 75, 75. Road graders, nil, nil, 65. Motor-vehicles, unassembled or completely knocked down, 40, 40, 40. Parts of motor-vehicles (other kinds), 40, 40, 40. PREMIER VISITS FACTORIES Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. In furtherance of the Government's campaign for stimulating secondary industry in New Zealand, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, visited

Challenge to New Zealand Manufacturers

MANY DIFFICULTIES IN WAY Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. That the restriction on imports for the second period constituted a challenge to New Zealand manufacturers was stated by H. B. Duckworth, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, when he outlined in an interview the difficulties and possibilities for increased domestic production brought about by the new situation. “The second period restrictions," Mr. Duckworth said, “undoubtedly present a definite challenge to increase production to make those goods which the country needs. This responsibility does not rest with the manufacturer alone. The responsibility for increased production to fill the gap caused by the reduced importation lies on every person engaged from the employer to the youngest lad in the establishment. In fact it reaches forward to the retailer, for if he buys in excess of his legitimate requirements he will secure more than a fair share of available supplies. Provided the Government speeds up the necessary permits for the importation of additional machinery and raw materials which will now be required for a still further increase in production, there still remains the question of finding or training the skilled artisan., In my opinion this is our greatest problem and although the Government has stated that provision will be made to enable men at present employed on Scheme 13 public works to be absorbed into manufacturing industries, nothing at all practical has yet been evolved." “Even if a scheme was available immediately there still remains a training period before practical results can be obtained in the way of increased production,’’ Mr. Duckworth proceeded. “In many industries which require the services of female labour little progress can be made until more young women can be induced to find employment in manufacturing establishments. The Government can rest assured, however, that the fullest co-operation will be given by my federation in the implementing of its policy of increased manufacturing production. I am sure they can count on every unit producing to the limit of capacity, so that our people shall have available products to meet everyday requirements. The task is a difficult one, but I am satisfied that if it is tackled earnestly and in a spirit of co-operation it can be done." DISMISSAL OF STAFFS INTERNAL ECONOMY AIMED AT? Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, April 24. One fairly big importing firm stated that the second six months’ cut would .uean the dismissal of some of its staff jf travellers. Another merchant stated mat his business would be halved while .he stock lasted, after which it must Inish. If customers would buy only )are requirements the position would oe easier, but some were panicked into rying to stock up for the half-year. The manager of a big motor company stated that even the starting of more ocal assembly works would not greatly -ielp, for restrictions applied also to parts, and the authorities apparently vere definitely taking the view that we hould economise internally. It was .ertain that there would not be the ?.me call for salesmen. Another merchant said that the aim apparently was to clear stocks, these being considered sufficient to meet the naif-year requirements.