IMPORT CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1939, Page 6

IMPORT CONTROL

MINISTERS DENY LONDON STATEMENT. NO CHANGE IN OBJECTIVE. (By Telegraph—Press Association ) WELLINGTON, This Day. “There is no justification whatever for the, statement from London,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, when his attention was drawn to the report from New Plymouth (published yesterday) that a firm of London buyers had informed,-their New Zealand clients that import restrictions would be a thing of the past in six months. The t report was also referred to by the ■ Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, who said it was not likely that there would be any change whatever in the present procedure till the certainty of sterling being available at all times was achieved. Mr Nash said that if New Zealand manufacturers were to expand their businesses they must have security. The position of New Zealand manufacturers would, always be safeguarded. “No one con say what is going to happen in 12 months or even in six, and I am not going to attempt to do it.” said Mr Savage. “We are not going to invite people abroad and in New Zealand to invest in New Zealand industry and have them torpedoed by cheap labour products from overseas. I said at the very beginning that our methods may change from time to time with changing conditions, but our objective will never alter. “We have to safeguard New Zealand industry.” said the Prime Minister. “Otherwise we cannot develop. This story is known commonlv as a ‘kite’: I am not a kite-flyer, and I am not going to encourage those who are.”