BRITISH EXPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9613, 20 March 1917, Page 8

BRITISH EXPORTS

ENGINEERING SUPPLIES HOVT TO OBTAIN NECESSARY TOOLS AND STORES. STATEMENT BY HON. A. M. MYERS. Tha Hon. Arthur M. Myers (Minister for Munitions and Supplies), interviewed by a “Times" representative in re gard to the recent statement in the "New Zealand Gazette" referring to tho importation, of engineering supplies, material and stores, said: “During July last the New Zealand Government was informed that the Ministry of Munitions in the United Kingdom had prohibited the export of any small tools aiade from highspeed steel or carbon steel, unless a permit for export was drst obtained from them, and in September we were further advised that the prohibition had been extended to cover also ‘boring-cutters, chucks, lues, hacksaws, lathe tools, measuring tools, milling-cutters, reamers, screwing tackle, slitting saws, thread-milling hobs, and twist drills.’ Accompanying the second notification was a statement that the Ministry would be glad to nave from the New Zealand Government any comments on indents which, would aa* sist them, in determining the urgency of orders. TO MAINTAIN NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES. "As a result of the publication of these advices throughout New Zealand," added the Minister, “many re. quests were received for assistance in securing miscellaneous stores and materials of importance which were not included in the above lists. I found that these miscellaneous items were as necessary for the maintenance of oui primary industries and the transport of our products as were the particular lines the Ministry had referred to, and I was of the opinion that many of the applications merited such assistance as the Ministry contemplated affording. 'The Government, therefore, requested the High Commissioner to approach the Ministry of Munitions in regard to, tho matter, and permission was obtained from the Ministry to deal with these additional lines in the same way as the others. Since October last many such miscellaneous applications have been dealt with by me, and passed on through the High Commissioner to the Ministry with satisfactory results. THE PROCEDURE ARRANGED. "As a result of a conference held in December last, the Ministry of Munitions requested that a local authority bs set up in each British Dominion or Dependency, which would: (a) Ascertain stocks held; (b) consider all indents from their respective countries; and (c) comment as to the degree of urgency and importance attaching to each order, from the local point of view. The Min» istry further decided that no application for a priority certificate would be .considered unless they had . before them the comments of the local authority, who in the case of New Zealand is the Minister in charge of Munitions and Supplies. The proposals cover all material and stores required for maintain, ing the continuity of production and the means of transport for the products of our industries of national importance, and they also extend to supplies required by all Government Departments and municipalities. THE MINISTER’S INVITATION. "I therefore invite all importers—persons, firms. Government Departments and municipalities—(said Mr Myers) to take advantage, of the procedure arranged, by placing themselves in communication with the Munitions and Supplies Department, Union Steam. Ship Company’s Buildings, Wellington, where full particulars can be obtained. Arrange, ments are being made to deal promptly with all orders received, and it will assist my office and prevent unnecessary delay and disappointment to importers if the instructions on the order forms are closely followed. NEW WORKS TO REMAIN IN ABEYANCE. “With regard to engineering supplies," continued Mr Myers, “the policy adopted by the Imperial Ministry of Munitions in dealing with business of this nature is that sympathetic consideration will be given to orders placed to secure supplies for maintenance and repairs of existing plants, but in view of present exigencies, little encouragement, if any. can be given to orders for new enterprises or for the extension of existing concerns, unless such extensions are essential from the point of view of the national welfare. A great many manufacturing establishments in the United Kingdom, which in the ordinary course of events devote themselves to export trade, are now directing their entire output to the requirements of the Imperial Government. Under the circumstances, it is clearly the duty of importers in the British Dominions wherever possible to defer sending orders for electrical machinery and other equipment until the conclusion of the warin other words, the establishment of new works requiring machinery of this kind should remain in abeyance."