CONTROL TO STAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 January 1939, Page 5

CONTROL TO STAND

PREMIER ON THE TRADE REGULATIONS

IMPORTER NOT TO BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS. TRYING TO MAKE RIGHT THING TURN UP. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. ‘’The importer is not going to be put out of action. Our job is to extend trade at home and abroad. Commonsense regulation does not mean that we are going to stifle trade.” said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, when making a further statement on the re ; actions of traders to the import regulations in an interview yesterday.

"The ways of previous Governments, ’ he said, "were to blunder along in the hope that the right thing would turn, up. We are going to try to make the right thing turn up. That is the difference. We will make mistakes, but we will make other things, too, and when we discover mistakes, we will rectify them.” Commenting on reports that some importers had dismissed some members of their staffs, Mr Savage said he had no official knowledge of these. If there was more work to be put in hand in New Zealand in creating a higher standard.of life that would mean that if men were put off in one place they would be put on in another.

“One thing is sure,” Mr Savage said. “We are going on to control our external trade. Many methods have been applied in the past. This is the direct way. Only time will tell how successful it is going to be.

“Our objective is to safeguard our own industries and to give a just measure of support to the people who deal with us. That is what it boils down to. When we are safeguarding our own industries we are safeguarding our own standard of life. “We are carrying our programme to primary industry as well as secondary, and that means that we are looking forward to increased sales in Britain, which will bring increased purchases by us from Britain. There is no other way for us -to get paid for our exports.” There had been no adverse reaction in official quarters in Britain to the New Zealand Government’s policy, Mr Savage said. “We have had the usual amount of criticism—one could call it abuse —from some British newspapers, but, of course, we have had some friends among them, too,” he added. STILL “CHAOTIC” POSITION IN WELLINGTON. HOPES OF SOME RELAXATION OF RESTRICTIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Little progress was seen in Wellington yesterday toward clarification of the importing situation, which commercial firms continue to describe as chaotic-

Few importers have yet received their licences, and many of those who have complained of drastic reductions, which they say may force them to cut down their staffs. A leading Wellington hardware importer said the main effect of the restrictions would be to reduce substantially the stocks of high-grade goods. This applied particularly to toilet brushware and toilet sets. The New Zealand quality was quite good, but manufacturers were limited and not as attractive as the overseas goods. The commercial community was most concerned, but it would take time before the public came to realise the repercussions of the restrictions, he said. Then they would find that they would have to buy what was put before them. Il seemed inevitable that there would be a decreased turnover.

The importer said he could quite understand the reason for restrictions on imports of household brushware which was manufactured in New Zealand up to a good standard, but the exclusion of toilet brushware was incomprehensible. The general reactions to the restrictions were likely to be far-reach-ing. Shipping would be affected, thus reducing work on the waterfront. Unprofitable trading was liable to lead to a readjustment of schedules. Carriers v/ere likely to be affected.

“Some of the regulations were quite in order with the object of encouraging industry in New Zealand, but you cannot wave a magic wand overnight and say this and that industry .will start tomorrow,” he said. "In any case, it would be uneconomic for New Zealand to endeavour to manufacture many prohibited lines because of the limited demand of our small population. It is to be hoped the Government will see its way clear to relax on many of the restrictions to enable retail business to be maintained at its normal level, or there is bound to be a reduction in staffs.” APPEALS IN AUCKLAND FORWARDED TO WELLINGTON FOR CONSIDERATION. EXTRA WORK FOR CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT. AUCKLAND. January G. As might be expected, large numbers of appeals are being received by the Customs Department from importers against decisions given on their applications for import licences. The collector, Mr F. N. Abercrombie, said that appeals were arriving in a steady stream, but he was not able to state the number so far received. Mr Abercrombie mentioned that the examination and checking of the appeals had thrown a good deal of extra work on his staff, which was already engaged in dealing with the numbers of new applications received since the holidays. The appeals were being forwarded to Wellington for consideration by the Minister in conformity with the import control regulations. It was certain that some time must elapse before all were dealt with.

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