IMPORT CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 146, 16 March 1939, Page 10

IMPORT CONTROL

Fears Of More Drastic Restriction

SECOND PERIOD LICENCES Possibility Of Reductions In Staffs Foreseen Fears that import restrictions in the second half of this year would be more drastic than in the first half were expressed yesterday by Wellington business men, who pointed out that so far London funds were showing no appreciable reaction to the control scheme.

It was stated that firms which bad been hoping for more generous licences in the second period might now be compelled to make reductions of staff. “The full effect of the restrictions is probably only now being realized by United Kingdom exporters,” said one business man. “It seems likely that more strenuous protests will be received from overseas in the future.”. Imports during the second period of English glass, plasterware, cutlery, soaps, toilet goods and enamelware were being cut 50 per cent, on those tor the corresponding period last year, said another importer.

It is understood that English glass and enamelware imports were not cut at all in the first period this year. Second period licences for English plate are cut 50 per cent., compared with 33 1-3 per cent, in the first period It is stated that English jewellery, cut 10 per cent, in the first period, is to be cut 50 per cent, in the second period.