IMPORT CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 10

IMPORT CONTROL

AID FOR LOCAL INDUSTRY MR SAVAGE APPEALS FOE* SUPPORT A SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Jan. 11. Advertisements in the press by New Zealand manufacturers requiring additional staff were commented on in an interview this evening by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage), who said that this was the first time that a genuine effort had been made in the Dominion to promote local industry.

"That is one of the best indications, and it is obviously due to our policy." the Prime Minister said. " We are going on in earnest to build industry in New Zealand. Manufacturers have some idea what they can expect the Government to do in the way of assisting industry, and they are accepting our word that it is not a temporary thing." Mr Savage said that on this issue the Government was not only appealing to the employers and employees engaged in industry, but was also appealing to the people of the country who were buyers of products to support the products "of their own country and their own industry. IMPORTERS OF SOFT GOODS ARE LICENCES BEING WITHHELD? POSITION OF MANUFACTURERS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Jan. 11. Little change in the situation created by the adoption of the import control regulations was seen in Wellington today. Firms dealing in soft goods are probably more in the dark than any other class. Inquiries to-day failed to discover one that had received a licence, and the belief is growing that the Customs Department has a special reason for withholding licences for this ciass of imports. Wholesale booksellers, too, are still without licences, but current overseas publications are being admitted under a special temporary arrangement. Manufacturers generally are reluctant to discuss the proposals for trade extension, probably because of the lack of specific knowledge of what avenues of production will have to be exploited. They claim, however, to be confident of their ability to fulfil the increased demand for Dominion products that is expected to result from the restriction of imports. One local radio manufacturer said to-day that he expected within 12 months to be able to enlarge his factory to employ at least 100 additional hands. THE AUCKLAND PROPOSAL "SPECTACULAR RATHER THAN EFFECTIVE " IMPORTERS CRITICISED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 11. The suggestion emanating from Auckland that the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) should issue a proclamation nullifying the operation of the new import regulations is regarded in Christchurch as being "spectacular and imaginative rather than effective. In those • terms it was described by a representative of a leading firm today. It was added that industry stood a better chance of achieving its objective by following up criticism of the regulations with some alternative and constructive proposal, which could be submitted to the Government for consideration. It was at that point that the Auckland importers had fallen short. Their attitude was helpful neither to the Government nor to industry. The Bureau of Industry in any case had overlooked the Governments power to make any legislative adjustments that might be found necessary to maintain the regulations. Industry generally would welcome the new move made by the Minister of Labour (Mr P. C. Webb) to set up an advisory council to assist the Minister in drafting industrial legislation. It was a matter for deep regret that the same procedure had not been adopted by Mr Savage and Mr Nash in endeavouring to formulate a more workable system of Imports than the one now in force. EMPLOYMENT SITUATION AUCKLAND PLACEMENT OFFICE NO EVIDENCE OF DISMISSALS (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Jan. 11. So far no applicant for employment at the State Placement Office in Auckland has intimated that he had been discharged from work because of the effect of the licensing of imports. A statement to this effect was made by the placement officer (Mr J. R. Elsbury' consequent on a report at f meeting of importers on Tuesday that 1700 employees would be discharged from employment in Auckland through the cutting down of imports by the Government. Mr Elsbury also said that there had been no extraordinary demand by the manufacturing industries for employees, although this was. perhaps, not' to be expected until industry got into its stride again after the holidays Many female employees changed their occupations after Christmas, there alwavs being a process of adjustment at this period. In consequence there had been numerous inquiries for girl machinists for the clothing, calico bag. millinery and footwear trades. COMMENT IN THE TIMES SMOTHERING ENTERPRISE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 10. The Times, in a leader reviewing the New Zealand import licensing measures, says that all experience shows that systems of this kind, once they are introduced, tend to increase in severity and complexity until they bring trade to a standstill by smothering all business enterprise under a load of detailed regulations and restrictions.