IMPORT CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24448, 6 November 1940, Page 8

IMPORT CONTROL

ORDER OF PREFERENCE INDUSTRIAL POLICY ADVICE FROM BRITAIN (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Nov. 5. The Government's policy concerning the order of preference fixed for various classes of imports was stated by the Minister of Finance'(Mr W. Nash) in an address to the Institute of Business Executives to-day. He also said that the United Kingdom was consulted before fresh secondary industries were established. “So far as the defence of,New Zealand is concerned, all the money required for imports of this nature is the first charge and is provided at once.” the Minister said. Next came foods that could not be produced in the Dominion and medicines, and after them the preference was for goods necessary to maintain primary production. The next item included raw materials and plant for secondary inMr Nash said that, while the last word was with New Zealand, the advice of the United Kingdom was sought whether it could help in establishing an industry and also as to what reasons there might be.for not establishing it. , The degree to which preference in trade was being given to the United Kingdom was emphasised by Mr Nash. He said, for example, that by buying table china from a certain country other than Britain it would be possible to obtain twice as much for the money as from the United Kingdom, but the Government’s, answer was, “We’re buying from the United Kingdom.” Mr Nash said he knew that there had been hardships inflicted on some very fine people and firms by import control. Regrettably this could not be avoided and arrangements had been made for 1941 for imports for every pound that it could b e seen would be available.