MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 17

MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY

Need Must Be Recognised

Maintenance of raw material supplies must be maintained and it was “fairly obvious that tihis should be recognised,” the president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr J. K. Dobson) said last evening, comenting at last evening's meeting of the association’s council on recent changes in import licensing. “However, I think generally that we must acknowledge that some form of restriction is needed in view of the overseas funds position.” He said manufacturers supported any attempt to get the country's finances “back on an even keel.” Mr C. H. Stockbridge said he was disturbed about the changes unless there was going to be examination of individual cases. “If we do not get additional licences in our own case we will definitely be out of materials early next year,” he said. “If we are to continue at our present rate of manufacture we must have licences for more material.” He said this situation would arise unless there was opportunity for relief in essential cases. Mr A. R. Cutler said he was in an industry “virtually given the axe" to the extent that it might not be able to continue. “This is in spite of the country’s requirements in the motor-car line.” he said. Mr Dobson said the lowest point in overseas assets during the present crisis was reached on April 12 last, when assets stood at £ 50.7 m. “We are pleased to note that the Government is conscious of the need for maintaining supplies of raw ma’erials,” he added. The council decided to get the: New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation to take up the matter of import licence transfers, but to wait to see what happened about licences for raw materials.