TRADE RESTRICTIONS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 287, 2 September 1942, Page 4

TRADE RESTRICTIONS

Manufacturers’ Case For British Goods

The opinion that the time is overdue for the removal of New Zealand restrictions operating on imports from the United Kingdom is expressed in the annual report of the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association. No greater condemnation of the import licensing scheme could be found, it states, than was disclosed in the following typical instance of the adverse effect these restrictions had on New Zealand’s economy, apart from the barrier they were to reciprocal trade between the two countries. The importations of a most necessary line were restricted to the value of the 1938 importations. Up to as late as 1940 thev Were readily available from the United Kingdom and the importers (agents for. the Umfe ed Kingdom manufacturer) of this line were ready and eager to biuld up stocks here against the time when they might not be available, by importing larger quantities and values than they did in 1935. Unfortunately they were restricted to 1938 importations. The was tlmt the 'Minister of Shipnlv in referring to this particular item on July 1,1942, said that he was aware of a shortage and regarded supplies as of prime importance. By a rearrangement of defence contracts certain domestic mills would produce additional quantities immediately. The requirements in the past, the Minister stated, had come largely from the United Kingdom and representations had recently been made through the Hi = li Commissioner urging the necessity- for special export release of quantities fo New Zealand. Official inquiries were also being made in Australia. “This is a case of the New Zealand Government now ‘urging’ the United Kingdom to release for export to New Zealand identical vital goods, the imports of which up till now have been restricted by our regulations, . states the report. “The United Kingdom might well ask why New Zealand was so short-sighted as to prevent the buildin"- up of stocks of necessities when thev were available. It would lie interesting to receive from members details of similar instances.”