VITAL EXPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 9

VITAL EXPORTS

BRITISH COUNCIL WIDE SCOPE OF PLANS CONSIDERING ALL STEPS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received March 6, 5.35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, March 5 The aims and plan of work of the Export Council set up by the Board of Trade are outlined in a "White Paper issued to-day. The aim is summed up as the promotion of the greatest volume of export trade which can be achieved under conditions of war. The export trade is regarded by the council as a factor vital in the war. No measure calculated to achieve the aim will be excluded from consideration. The machinery for accomplishing the desired purpose will he built on the normal trade structure, although it is recognised that war conditions require direction, guidance and support to be given by the Government to exporters to a degree not contemplated in peace time.

Exceptional Circumstances The White Paper specifically states: "Should exceptional circumstances arise in particular trades, or over the whole field, the council will place no limit to the expedients it will be prepared to consider." It is anticipated that a considerable diversion from home to export markets will be experienced in the case of many commodities. Stating that "it is clear that each industry, in considering export development, has problems of raw materials, prices and distribution of markets which are highly specialised," the White Paper forecasts the setting up in each industry of an export group, with which the council will co-operate. These groups will be formed by the existing trade organisations and the Chamber of Commerce.

Unified Scheme Wanted All suggestions for the promotion of this vital activity will be examined with the idea of bringing into operation a unified scheme embracing the whole ramification of the export trade.

In a speech dealing with the Export Council, the secretary of the Overseas Trade Department, Mr. It. S. Hudson, said: "The task is to see that British exports increase sufficiently to pay for the materials we have to import to win the war." Much as it would be preferred to devote all Britain's industrial resources to the production of munitions of war, it was not possible to do so by reason of inability to borrow abroad. "To use an Americanism," Mr. Hudson added, "this is a cash and carry war."

No Rigid Cartels The council had no intention of forming rigid cartels, but flexible groups which would estimate their own requirements. "We are not trying to imitate the methods of the totalitarian States," he said. "On the contrary, we are counting on the willing cooperation of o^i r people. We hope, too, that we shall have the willing cooperation of our customers. "Wife have no idea of taking advantage of the war to try to secure a monopoly of the world markets. Even if we wanted to do so we could not spare the resources needed for such an effort. We shall limit regimentation to the minimum necessity that the war enforces on us."

68 LIVES SAVED WEEKLY FINE WORK OF LIFEBOATS LONDON, March 5 The Royal National Lifeboat Institution rescued an average of 68 lives weekly since the outbreak of war, compared with 21 in the last war and eight in peacetime.

GERMANS AND PETROL RUMANIAN PLAN FAILS British Wireless LONDON, March 5 Asked in the House of Commons today whether he received information in January or February about an impending deal securing for Germany control over the Rumanian oil company, Petrolul Romnnescu, the Minister of Economic Warfare, Mr. R. H. Cross, said that at the end of January the British Government received a report that German agents were attempting to

secure control of this Rumanian com-

pany. "I understand arrangements have been made by which the company remains under Rumanian control," Mr. Cross continued. "I do not think it an important petrol corporation, but 1 am entirely satisfied that it is not under German control."

BERLIN CONVERSATIONS MR. WELLES' COMMENT (Receiver! March 0, 5.35 p.m.) LAUSANNE, March 0 The United States Assistant-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, who has just visitexl Germany, is going to Paris to-dav. He described the published reports of his conversations in Berlin as inaccurate and unfounded. He said he would not make a report until he returned to Washington.

ITALIANS IN MALTA BASELESS GERMAN CLAIM (Received March fi, 5.35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, March 5 A German assertion in a broadcast that Italian subjects resident in Malta were being recruited by the Governor, under instructions from England, for service in the British forces is totally untrue. The Governor has authority to enlist British subjects resident there, including Maltese of British nationality, up to local requirements, but no Italian subjects in Malta could or are being accepted for any British services.

RUSSIANS FOR BERLIN MOSCOW, March 5 The Commissar of Shipbuilding will head a new economic delegation which is going to Germany to place order®.