WAR RESTRICTIONS WITHDRAWN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 87, 7 January 1919, Page 8

WAR RESTRICTIONS WITHDRAWN

BRITISH MANUFACTURES OBTAINABLE IMPORfANT ANNOUNCEMENT BY IMPERIAL AUTHORITIES The withdrawal of many of the war restrictions on British manufactures and exports is announced in cablegrams that have reached the office of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner from the Department of Overseas Trade, London. The imperative demand for munitions of war having ended, the manufacturers of the United Kingdom are ready to resume their normal activities in many branches, and it appeals that to some extent preference is going to be given to countries within the British Empire. The Department of Overseas Trade cabled as follows on December 24:— Restrictions of manufacture, imports, and exports are already largely relaxed; the removal of control of materials, etc., occurs daily. There are good prospects for the_ export . trade as far'as tonnage permits, and except in the case of the industries which have been most gravely disorganised by war necessity it is expected thiit British manufacturers will be able to meet practically all ■ demands shortly. The control of prices is being maintained as far as is necessary for stabilising the market. No forecast of entire relaxation is at present pos- ■ sible. Markets aro wanted immediately for materials produced in excess of reouirements for purposes of war, including aeroplanes, wooden goods, metal repetition work, sulphuric acid, etc. Some further information regarding the prospects of the British export trade aro contained in a later which indicates that many of the articles especially required in New Zealand, including corrugated iron and nails, may now be obtaine'd from the Mother Country. This cablegram is as follows:— . Since the armistice has been signed many restritcions on commerce have been withdrawn, while in the case of the restrictions that Temain licenses are beinnr granted to a much greater extent than before. Other relaxations are continuously being made. While the pre-war scale of export cannot be regained at once, it is possible for a considerable amount of trade to be done by the principal industries in this country. Orders placed during the war have now a good prospect df execution, and. arrangements for new business should be made quickly. Particularly the .following relaxations should be noticed:—Permits to manufacture and priority certificates are no longer necessary. This frees the engineering industry for commercing work- "fi.".w materials of all the principal kinds are now freed from control. Tbf'.-.» may now be used for the mtiiiiifocturi! in this country of Rood 1 ; which may then be exported, but.the raw materials themselves may' not be. ex;»rtstl in certain cases without iicensu. Thi- rule applies • to' aluminium, R-fcitnony, brass, copper, iron, lend, nickel,' spelter, zinc, steel, and tin. ' The general rule has been to remove restrictions on all manufactured goods, while retaining the re- . Btriotions in the case of raw / materials. Certain factors will continue to retard deliver*- in the export trade, notably: (1.)" Shortage of labour till the Army can be demobilised; (2) ■shortage of tonnage: (3) thefact t ( hat "certain industries will renui're the reorganisation of plant before returning to normal work. The effect of : these factors jvil' diminish greatly in a few months'. Every effort is being made bv all Departments of Staff to assist the reconstruction of the British export trade, the importance of ; which is fully realised. _ \ The cablegram contains also a list of the most 'important articles, export nF which' was formerly prohibited to all countries, but which mav now be sp"t to parts of the British Empire outside the United Ivinirdom. -The articles mentip""d are as follow:— Aluminium articles, asbestos manufactures. Belting (cotton), including belting impregnated with-bnlata- or rubber. Bicycles nnd bicycle tyres and parts, boots or shoes (except children's) with soles or uppers, of leather, brooms andbrrshes (except toothbrushes). Copper manufactures, pxcept "-ire, bars, plates, rod", sheets, strips, tubes. Galvanised . sheprs. corrugated or flit, grindstones, glass for optical instruments. UiW-tnols for .agriculture. Follow-wnro (domestic) or iron or steel plate. Tron and steel riveti, nuts and screws, iron and steel wire-cloth. TnM.rulpsccnt mantles and Tings. Linoleum. Mafnesite and mngDesite bricks. NVUs (wire! materials. ■Rubber manufactures, except surgical glnves. Steel chests, black. Tools. . Wagons (small), carts, and parts. Wool and hair manufactures, not to include wool or yarns. ' •Tntp' cordage and twine, padding and webbing. Twist nnd piece poods. 'Haenetris and parts. Surgical bandages and dressings.