MUST EXPORT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 8

MUST EXPORT

APPEAL FROM BRITAIN DISAPPOINTING RESTRICTION (By Tpio£rranh.j--pi pc? A^enciatlon) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand representatives’ Association has received the following cable from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce:— United Kingdom manufacturers are able and anxious to export to New Zealand. They are, however, gravely disappointed at the severity of the import restrictions, as well as with regard to the ungenerous time limit imposed for the fourth period. “ Shipping conditions consequent upon the war justify latitude by the New Zealand Government, which understood the conditions fully. It knew that United Kingdom exports were vital to the successful prosecution of the war.” Commenting on the message, Mr E. A. Christie, president of the United Kingdom Manufacturers’ and New Zealand Representatives’ Association, said the cable dispelled any doubt regarding the ability and desire of United Kingdom manufacturers and exporters to supply this market, and emphasised that New Zealand must import from the United Kingdom to the fullest possible extent in order to respond to the United Kingdom export drive. Expiry Period Disapproved Unfortunately New Zealand restrictions on United Kingdom imports for 1941 would prevent a full response to the urgent demands of United Kingdom manufacturers for more exports. It was evident that the ruling that licenses to import goods would expire on December 31 if the goods had not arrived in New Zealand by that date was viewed with general disapproval and disappointment by British manufacturers.

Mr Christie said the cable must cause New Zealanders to wonder whether the import restrictions, by prohibiting the importation of no fewer than 320 tariff items and sub items out of a total of 632, was in step with the United Kingdom battle-cry, “ Export or Expire—Britain Delivers the. Goods.”