UNPOPULAR MEASURES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26626, 24 November 1947, Page 6

UNPOPULAR MEASURES

RESTRICTIONS ON DOLLAR IMPORTS Rec. 1 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 22. None of the restrictive or compulsory measures taken by the Canadian Government during the war roused as much criticism and resentment among the general public as those taken this week to protect Canada’s dollar exchange, says the Ottawa correspondent of the New York Times. The measures are so unpopular that it is already hinted that they may be withdrawn. It appears likely there will' be none of that public co-opera-tion which made price control and rationing so succcessful. The general comment is that the measures taken are excessive, illadvised and designed to cover past mistakes on the part of the Government's financial advisers. It is argued that Canada could have protected hex dollar position by a loan in the United States, where bankers would have been quick to appreciate the wisdom of supporting her best customer. First protests came when fresh vegetable prices rose sharply as the result of the embargo of imports from the United States. Carrots, for instance, have doubled their price. Protests were also pouring in from manufacturers and industrialists against the ban on imports necessary for their industry. The Minister of Reconstruction, Mr C. D. Howe, predicts that Canada yill soon be able to balance her trade by manufacturing what she now imports, but that is regarded as utterly impossible, adds the correspondent.