OUR PART IN SANCTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 12

OUR PART IN SANCTIONS

An interesting announcement by the Prime Minister is that the Government intends to introduce in Parliament this session a bill giving effect to its policy in regard to sanctions against Italy. Presumably it will be necessary for the Government to obtain a general authority to prohibit any class or classes of exports to or imports from Italy, so that it can enforce the decisions of the League of Nations. As a member of the Leagul New Zealand is pledged to conform, and must be prepared to carry out her engagements. So far the League has discussed a general boycott on imports from Italy and an embargo has been declared on certain exports to her, these being metal's chiefly. It will not be 'surprising, however, if the scope of the sanctions is rapidly enlarged to the final stage recited in Article XVI. of the Covenant, which has been applied to Italy. In that case the severance of all trade, financial and personal relations would be necessary. New Zealand's trade with Italy is comparatively unimportant. Usually the values of imports and exports are fairly well balanced, with a slight advantage to Italy. Last year, however, the balance was in New Zealand's favour, her excess of exports being £54,000. Of her total exports to Italy, valifed at £•206,000, the great bulk consisted of greasy wool (£178,000) and hides and skins of various kinds (£27,000). Im-

ports from Italy were very many and most various, although it does not appear, if the boycott should be applied, that there will be any difficulty in obtaining supplies of almost all of them from other sources. Of last year's of about £151,000, most value was represented by various classes of apparel, silk and artificial silk, hats and hat-makers' materials. Sulphur represented the large sum of £31,880, while cream of tartar, and tartaric and citric acids comprised an important group. Italian almonds cost New Zealand £15,801 last year and essential oils, £3859. Contrary to what might be expected, the Dominion imports most of her macaroni and vermicelli from Australia and Canada, and none from Italy. Taken altogether, the trade may not be vital but is not such as New Zealand would willingly give up, except as a •sacrifice in the cause of the principles the League is striving to establish.