IMPORTS FROM EAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 10

IMPORTS FROM EAST

MANUFACTURERS' CONCERN PROBLEM OF COMPETITION BRITISH INTERESTS INVOLVED The menace of imports from Eastern countries, more particularly Japan, to British and Now Zealand manufactuiing interests was the subject of comment at a meeting yesterday of tlio Auckland Manufacturers' Association. Jt was reported that the association had forwarded to the British trade commissioner's office in Wellington a resolution drawing altention to the quantity of Eastern goods being imported into the Dominion, to the detriment of British manufactures. It was desired that New Zealand manufacturers should be put in the position of obtaining their supplies of raw materials from Great Britain or other Empire countries. The resolution continued that the opinion was freely expressed that Japanese textiles and other articles, owing partly to depreciated currency and cheap labour, could be imported at prices with which the manufacturers importing British materials could not compete. The association's policy was New Zealand goods first, but, after that, manufacturers desired to purchase all their requirements that couid possibly be obtained from Britain. In reply, the assistant British trade commissioner, Mr. G. Muntz, said competition from Japan and the Tar East generally was a matter which had been receiving serious consideration by all interested in promoting trade between the constituent parts of the British Empire. He had already had several discussions with authorities in New Zealand on the subject, lie feared that the problem of how to niC'-t the competition was by no means easy of solution, but he would forward a (»py of the association's opin.un to his department in London.

Mr. F. N. Ambler viewed tho question of imports from tho East with concern, and pointed out that the adverse trade balance with Japan had quickly increased to a considerable figure. On the motion of Mr. Ambler a resolution was carried stating that the association viewed with alarm the increase in imports from the East, when the majority of the goods could bo supplied by Great Britain.

Trade with the East was also the subject of a letter from the Department of Industries and Commerce. It was mentioned that the Empire I*air, to be held in Hongkong about the end of next May, would probably provide an opportunity for a display of New Zealand goods.