INTEREST MAINTAINED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26906, 19 October 1948, Page 6

INTEREST MAINTAINED

DOMINION MARKETS BRITISH EXPORTING FIRMS An indication of the interest British exporters are taking in New Zealand ar ’ other overseas markets is given by the second visit within the last 12 months of Mr C. J. Jump, of Kilmarnock, Scotland. Mr Jump, who is representing the rug and -carpet manufacturing firm of Blackwood,'Morton and Sons, sounded a note of warning, however, on being too complacent about the duration of this present interest “Although British manufacturers iavg always regarded New Zealand ' with the greatest respect from the trading point.of view,” he said, “increasing difficulties with import controls are tending to put the Dominion on a more distant footing than in the past." .’Mr Jump emphasised that the exporters were not objecting to home production, for they were quite confident about competing successfully with the best New Zealand could produce, providing they were given equal trading rights. He pointed out, however, that if through Import controls the exporters were denied an open market, they would have to restrict the preferences given in the past. Mr Jump was reticient when asked to comment on the quality of New Zealand-made carpets, but he again instanced the value of overseas competition in keeping the standard up to a high level. He maintained that there was no encouragement for an importer to bring in a better quality article with the present ceiling prices ruling, for there was more profit in handling the cheaper goods. One of the best ways to bring prices down. Mr Jump considered, would be to refuse import licences to the trader who was not regularly in the business. By doing this, he said, one of the unnecessary channels through which the public, at extra cost, received its goods would be eliminated. Recent overseas innovations, such as his firm’s latest patent—a moth-proof rug—should also be brought home to the people of New Zealand, he added. Mr Jump, who visited the Continent and America before commencing his New Zealand tour, expects to return to England about the middle of No- . vember.