ADVERSE EFFECT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 2 September 1942, Page 4

ADVERSE EFFECT

IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

REMOVAL SUGGESTED Wellington. This Da> The opinion that the time is over . due for the removal of New Zealand 1 restrictions operating on imports from the United Kingdom is expressed in the annual report of the United KingI doin Manufacturers and New Zealand : Representatives ’Association. No great--1 er 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 tiade between the two countries. The importation of a most necr.; , snry line were restricted to the value ! of the 1938 importations. Up to as late i as 1940 they were readily available | from the United Kingdom and the irat porters (agents for the principal Unit | ed Kingdom manufacturer) of this line ; were ready and eager to build up stocks here against the time when they might not be available, by importing larger quantities and values than they did in 1938. Unfortunately they were restricted to 1938 importations. The sequel was that the Minister of Supply in referring to this particular item on Ist July. 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 I stated, had come largely from the Un- ! ited Kingdom and representations had I recently been made through the High j Commissioner urging the necessity for special export release of quantities for New Zealand. Official inquiries were also being made in Australia. "This is a case of the Now Zealand j 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 wi I ask why New Zealand was so short-sighted as to prevent the building up of stocks of necessities when they were available. It would be interesting to receive from members details of similar instances." —P.A.