VIEWS OF IMPORTERS' FEDERATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 7 December 1938, Page 8

VIEWS OF IMPORTERS' FEDERATION

( “AN ARBITRARY MEASURE” [United Pre6B Association] WELLINGTON. This Day. Mr G. W. Guthrie, president of the New Zealand Importers’ Federation, said: “We are not prepared to agree with the Minister of Finance in his repeated statements that excessive general importations are the cause of the . present position, and the low amount of London funds. We contend that the . higher standard of wages paid to the . people of this country has created an increased demand for all classes of . goods, whether imported or locally manufactured. The position still re- . quires explaining, and the disclosing of how much of the London funds have been used directly and indirectly by the i Government for the equipment and supplies of their various departments. The Minister, in his explanatory note, repeatedly refers to the facilities to be * provided for the purchase of capital equipment and raw materials. Does i equipment mean machinery for local I manufacturers, or does it include requirements for public works, etc.? “We consider that any definite refusal of import licenses because certain goods could be made in New Zealand would be looked on with decided disfavour by overseas manufacturers, particularly those in the United Kingdom, whose trading relations with this country extend over many years. These manufacturers are already trading under the restriction of the present tariff and exchange. Wc presume that these new regulations have been framed for the , general importers, and would ask what measures, if any, are proposed to control Government importations. “We think we are correct in stating that New Zealand is the first British country to adopt such an arbitrary measure as the one now in force, and I it is hoped, for the standing of the country in the Commonwealth of Dominions, that this 1 jgulation will be set aside as soon as the London funds are restored to their normal position. “We recognise that r - new regulation such as this will cause a certain amount of alarm, and we trust that the administration of it wi” be conducted in such a manner as to obviate any hardship on any section of the community.’’