METAL PRODUCTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 8

METAL PRODUCTS

IMPORTS RESTRICTED

SUPPLIES FOR DOMINION BRITISH AND AMERICAN ACTION British manufacturers are refusing orders for machinery, machine tools and other made-up articles of metal materials that would be useful in Britain's war effort, unless New Zealand importers can show that these are needed for war work or for Government contracts. A further development affecting New Zealand is that restrictions have been placed in the United States on tho export of many classes of manufactured metal materials in view of its own defence and munition programme.

A typical instance of the British attitude is the refusal by a British manufacturer to supply an Auckland clothing factory with machines because they would not be used in the Dominion's war effort. It is explained regarding the general position that British manufacturers cannot obtain releases from the controlling authorities of the various raw materials necessary to fulfil orders unless tiieso are important in the prosecution of the war. IJnder conditions now ruling in Britain, it is stated that if is impossible to get orders supplied for most classes of machine tools and prospects are that almost all classes ot hardware will be unobtainable from tho United Kingdom within a year.

One large United States metal corporation has notified its New Zealand representatives of the temporary withdrawal from the market of many lines. It lias divided its products into three categories. One list contains materials for which quotation is still open hut for which orders cannot be accepted until inquiry is first made regarding the possibility of supply. A second list covers products for which there are limited quani it ios and for which orders can on occasion be accepted. 'lhe third list withdraws temporarily from the market 2J products, including cold rolled sheets, electrical sheets (used by New Zealand ratlio manufacturers), light-gauge baling, wire rods in coils, galvanised plain wire, nail wire (the Government arranges for all American supplies at present) and tin plate.