BRITISH EXPORT TRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 226, 24 September 1945, Page 5

BRITISH EXPORT TRADE

EASING OF CONTROLS MANY ITEMS FREED FROM LICENCE LIST (Special Correspondont--N.Z.P.A J Recd. 6.30 p.m. London, Sept. 22 An important step in a drive to rebuild Britain's export trade comes into force on Monday. Under a .Board of Trade order, it will no longer be necessary for British manufacturers to secure export licenses for a wide range of their goods. There will be seme controls, but. in future the only restrictions on main British exports will be thc ability of the manufacturers to secure the necessary materials and labour to execute the orders. In some rases restrictions will also still apply. That is to say, no more than a stipulated total of a certain class of goods may be exported annually.

Manufacturers interested in trade with New Zealand, at present are reserved in their comments as io how the removal of controls will affect them in view of the New Zealand Government’s import restrictions. The British list of goods removed from control are now being compared with the New Zealand list of restrictions. Here is some indication of goods now available for unlicensed export:

Machinery has been removed entire ly from the licensing list, except forthreshing machinery and combine harvesters, contractors plant, leather and well drilling machinery, mobile cranes and textile machinery, and plant made before April 1941. Ballbearings have been removed and the list ot metal manufactures has been greatly reduced. It now covers only enamelled hollow-ware, gas meters, water taps, some nails and studs, combs, a few specified hand tools, enamelled wire, and a few other goods in short supply. Semi-manu-factures of some non-ferrous metals, including copper and zinc, have been deleted. AU vehicles and vehicle parts have been removed, except vans, trucks, chassis and diesel engines for them, tyres, tubes and some tractors. Instruments and apparatus are now free, except surgical instruments and’appliances. Also excepted are certain cinematograph cameras and lamps, spectacles and lenses, instrument jewels and cellulose, and absorbent cotton and wadding.

Electrical goods have been reduced to two items—lead acid accumulators, and cooking heating appliances. Nearly one half of the chemicals and drugs items have been removed from the list.

Goods remaining subject to license are foodstuffs, many raw materials, some of which must be imported and paid for in dollars, clothing and other textiles, important chemicals and drugs, a strictly limited list of manufactured goods' in short supply, arms and ammunitions, diamonds, works of art and other valuables, where there are special reasons for retaining control. Penicillin and uranium compounds, used in releasing atomic energy, and other radio active materials,/have been added to the list. Another step in Britain's industrial reconversion is the fact that a further long list of Government-owned or controlled war factories has been allocated to civilian production, and will be announced shortly.