SUPPLIES NEEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 9

SUPPLIES NEEDED

FEINTING MATERIALS EFFECTS OF RESTRICTIONS APPLICATION FOR RELIEF DEPUTATION TO MINISTER [B Y TKLKGIt A I'll —OWN COHItEST'ONnKM'] WELLINGTON, Thursday Application for relief from the import restrictions covering the supplies of printing and writing papers and other materials essential' to the commercial printing and manufacturing stationery industries was made by a deputation which waited on the Minister of Customs and Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, to-day. The deputation was fully representative of the commercial printing and allied industries, and of iho wholesale supply houses associated with those industries. The statement 011 behalf of the commercial printers was submitted bv Mr. K. W. Clarkson, general secretary of the Federation of Master Printers, and that 011 behalf of the supply merchants by Mr. H. J. Tubbs, president of their organisation. In addition, addresses to the Minister were made by Mr. B. C. Jacobs, president of the Federation of Master Printers, and by Mr. S. J. Bobinson, on behalf of the supply merchants. Making Ends Meet "111 our considered opinion the minimum upon which the industry can make ends meet, in comparison with the money value percentage of 1038 imports, is 125 per cent British and 100 per cent foreign," was the claim of the supply merchants. "We are demanding only the barest essential after all possible economies are effected, and we emphatically claim that nothing short of a desperate emergency justifies the disruption of an industry which contributes such a large share of the national income on such a small share of the national expenditure in sterling." The statement added that the sensational increase in mill prices, freights and war insurance had created a new position, and confronted the trade with a most alarming situation. There was every indication that prices had not yet reached their peak, and the position was likely to get worse. The closing of some sources of supply 1 and diversion of orders to lessfavoured countries meant further increases. Effect on Employment In its claims the Master Printers' Federation asked for a sufficient allocation of sterling in terms of paper tonnage and of quantities of other essential supplies to enable it to support its industry, its employees and those dependent upon it for their requirements. The future stock position, it was stated, presented a matter of grave concern to employers, and unless relief was forthcoming the general body of employees in the industry would be affected. The position was, the federation pointed out, that the industry would receive -11 per cent of the volume of 10:J8 imports, which were below previous years. It was stated that even under present conditions the industry would be unable to furnish products to replace goods of manufactured paper now totally prohibited, or to meet the requirements of new Dominion manufacturers for packing and marketing their goods. The federation also advised that there were other important materials for which relief was desired. Thev included high-grade inks and boards, and also certain photo-process engraving materials. The Minister's Reply The Minister in his reply commented upon the thorough manner in which the submissions had been prepared, and said he was impressed by the reasonable attitude of the industries, in the fairness of these demands for an increased quota of basic materials requisite to this industry to maintain production somewhere near the present level. He explained that his problem was to keep the expenditure upon imports strictly within the amount-available from exports, less current commitments. He had taken a complete and careful note of all sums so available, and be was already working very close up to those limits. The staple productions of the Dominion had been sold to the United Kingdom at prices already determined, and, Mr. Nash added, it appeared to him that additional funds could accrue only from any surplus of those produets released by the United Kingdom for sale elsewhere. The submissions tendered would be thoroughly examined by his officers and by himself, and, .if it were disclosed that the' industry had not already been allocated its equitable quotas, lie would do bis utmost to make provision fot- further supplies from any additional funds which might become available. In all y case, Mr. Nash said, owing to abnormal price rises overseas-in relation to income from realisation of exported commodities it would be impossible to pay for the same volume of materials as was imported in 1938. The Minister undertook to furnish a reply at an early date.