CONTROL OF IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 4

CONTROL OF IMPORTS

Minister Thinks Principle Has Come To Stay INTERNATIONAL BASIS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, October 14. Points arising out of the future control and administration of the system of importations into New Zealand were discussed at the conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. Mr. C. N. Cathie submitted an interim report on behalf of a special committee. The report was based on the assumption that some form of import control would be continued, at least temporarily, after the war. It was consequently necessary to review deficieuies in the present system and the relationship of import control, tariffs and existing trade agreements ‘ to the futurp safeguarding of New Zealand’s primary and manufacturing industries. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, said that, in regard to the principle of import control, it seemed to him that • the principle had come to stay, not only in New Zealand but on a very much wider international basis than had been the case in the past. After referring to discussions regarding freedom of trade and then the general problem of planning, the Minister said that it seemed to be very widely accepted among statesmen, writers and speakers generally that economic planning envisaged also degrees of import control. “I feel very sure that import control will bo a general feature of the economic life of nations generally in the future,” he said. The Minister said he considered the federation’s decision to investigate the system a wise one, as they could ascertain if the present method was the best or whether it could be improved. It was necessary to get the utmost out of the country so that all these factors could combine to the end of producing the greatest possible quantity of good quality goods, so that the people of New Zealand could have the highest standard of living that the condition of the country would allow.

“We do stand, for the development of the economic resources of the country and we will not take a fiscal course which would have the effect of reducing our goods,” he continued. The conference decided that the federation council should complete the report for submission to the manufacturers’ associations throughout New Zealand before any further action was taken.