THE EXPORT DRIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 2

THE EXPORT DRIVE

BRITAIN’S GOOD POSITION BETTER SUPPLIES OF RAW MATERIALS In view of the suspicion that probably still exists in the minds of some importers that it is useless to send orders to Great Britain because of the difficulties experienced there in obtaining supplies of certain raw materials and. of finished articles for export, it is interesting to examine an article published in the Daily Telegraph (London) of July 23. New Zealand importers have, of course, their own peculiar difficulties to face, so that their appreciation of the encouragement contained in the article will be limited. Nevertheless there is sufficient information to justify die comment in the letter from a London firm which accompanies the clipping sent to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce that “ Britain's export position to-day is better than it has been for some months past. There will be shortages in a few lines, but definite surpluses in others. We urge you to order everything you possibly can from the Old Country, giving us latitude to supply alternatives if possible. Britain needs your orders.” The article by the political correspondent to the' Daily Telegraph states: “After a review of stocks of essential raw materials now in the country and recent experience of the rate at which imports are coming in, the Cabinet, I understand, have decided that the position is now so much improved that export trades can now be allowed a fuller allocation. When the munitions drive was intensified earlier in the year, it was necessary to cut the amount of raw material available for the export trades. These cuts are now to be fully restored. It is considered that this can be done without in any way reducing or holding up the expanding programme of munitions production.

“To push still further our export trade, which is essential to finance the war, the Board of Trade will shortly extend the scheme of rationing supplies of goods for the home market. Recdnt steps in this direction have worked so smoothly that the inclusion of goods hitherto left out and a further reduction in the quotas of articles already rationed out are being considered. Since the method of limiting supplies to the retailer has nroved so satisfactory it is not intended" to ration individual purchasers. Steps are also being taken to make workers in factories engaged on export orders realise that they are as much war workers as those in munitions.

“Last month, which was a difficult one for overseas trade, Britain maintained at the high level of the previous three months her exports to the United States and South America, as well as to most of the Dominions. This result was achieved in America in the teeth of a violent Nazi propaganda campaign which sought to convince traders that we are so engrossed with arms work that it would be impossible for us to meet many export orders," Editorial comment in the Daily Telegraph was: “Good economic news is good war news. There are many reasons for satisfaction in the Cabinet's decision that the full allocation of war materials can now be restored to the export industries. This improvement in the supply position shows that the recent concentration of German attack on our shipping has failed to interfere with the replenishment of the stocks. Such is the efficacy of the Nazi ‘counter blockade.’ We are able to maintain an enormous increase in the production of armaments and yet have sufficient resources to develop the export drive. That in itself is an operation of war. The sale of exports provides for the purchase of munitions from productive power overseas which may be vastly expanded.”