BRITAIN FIRST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 6

BRITAIN FIRST

THE IMPORT POLICY REASSURING COMMENT BY MINISTERS RETICENCE MAINTAINED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, jan. 10. Statements made in Britain, that strong representations may be made by the British Government against New Zealand’s import control regulations and that it is hardly to be expected that Britain will buy products from New Zealand New Zealand bans British manufactures, were commented on to-day by both the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) and the Minister of Customs (Mr Nash) “ They are still guessing and they will gc on guessing,” Mr Nash said The Prime Minister, in an interview this evening, said that the clearest statement one could put into words had been made in the first place in this connection. “That was that we are to make a proper selection of the things we need to take from abroad," he said. There was nothing said about restriction We said we we r e naturally goine to give preference to those who were going to give preference to us—that is that we would buy where we were selling. Having decided what we want, we are going to get it from Britain as far as we can get it from Britain.”

BUSINESSMEN’S APPEAL ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT KING’S SPEECH QUOTED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Jan. 10. At to-day’s meeting of representatives of importing houses, it was pointed out that the importers were not permitted to make applications for licences for the second six months of the year until April. This completely upsets business arrangements, as it was impossible to arrange for spring sales and Christmas orders. In such circumstances it was impossible to maintain the selling staff. “We should insist that a _ clear statement of what will and will not be allowed to be imported after June 30 should be published within the next few weeks,” stated another speaker! Telegrams Ignored “ The regulations are, in my opinion, invalid,” stated Mr J. Hislop, a well-known businessman. “We have done all that we possibly can to secure a measure of redress. We have telegraphed to the Minister on two occasions, and our telegrams have been ignored. We have only one step to take—to appeal to the Governor-General (Lord Galway).” Mr Hislop quoted a portion of an address given by his Majesty King George VI in his first address to the Privy Council after his accession, as follows:—“You may be assured that it is my determination to do all that lies within my power to safeguard the liberties of my people and to promote their prosperity and contentment.” —(Loud applause and cheers.)

“ The contentment and prosperity of the people of the Dominion is seriously endangered and we should go in all humility to the GovernorGeneral as the representative of his Majesty and ask him to issue a proclamation suspending the regulations until their- validity can be examined by the Full Court,” continued Mr Hislop. “ The Statute of Westminster gives New Zealanders the right to manage their own affairs without reference to the British Parliament. A "wrong interpretation has been placed upon this statute by the Government, which apparently thinks that it can do precisely as it likeu whether in the interests of the country as a whole or not. An appeal from the citizens should be made immediately."— (Applause.) ' State of Bewilderment “ There seems to be no provision for any measure of equality of sacrifice in the regulations,” stated an elderly businessman. “ Many of my friends will be put oui of business. An examination of the actual figures shows 4 hat unless a change is made some firms will be bankrupted. Others are in such a state of bewilderment that they simply do not know what plans to make for the future. Contrasting with the published list of companies that would be in serious difficulties. I noticed in thj next column an annoying platitude from the Prime Minister that ‘ the importers will not be interfered with.’ ” i— f LOSS ON CUSTOMS REVENUE WELLINGTON FIRM’S IMPORTS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Jan. 10. Customs duty revenue amounting to at least £ 1500 will be lost to New Zealand as the result of the restrictions imposed on the imports of one firm alone. This firm deals in Chinese lingerie. A director of the firm said to-day that application had been made for licences to import £2400 worth of hand-embroidered Chinese lingerie. In the first half of last year £1396 worth had been imported. A licence had now been granted for the importation of £3OO worth. The duty paid on the good? in question was 75 per cent., so that the country would lose at least £ 1500 in revenue. If the firm’s appeal was unsuccessful, he added, the business would be transferred to Australia. The best of the staff, probably 10 of the 17 employed, would be taken to Australia,' but at least seven, including several married men. would be out of work.