OUR IMPORT POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1939, Page 5

OUR IMPORT POLICY

EFFECT ON BRITISH TRADE STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. FULL INFORMATION AWAITED. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. The President of the Board of Trade, Mr Oliver Stanley, replying to a series of questions in the House of Commons regarding New Zealand imports, said he was aware of the restrictions imposed on imports, but he was insufficiently informed to enable him reliably to estimate the effect on British export trade to New Zealand, though it would be marked. The whole situation was serious. Mr W. Nash’s visit to England in June would be welcomed in the hope of clarifying the situation. VARIOUS VIEWS DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. MR STANLEY RETICENT. (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 2. Mr Stanley, replying to Sir J. S. W. Milne, who asked whether the Board of Trade could not move in mitigation of hardship to British trade in the direction of modifying the prohibition of exports, Mr Stanley promised to discuss the matter with Mr Nash. Mr Wilfred Roberts asked whether New Zealand had not offered to augment British manufactured exports if Britain accepted more New Zealand products. Mr Stanly said the British reduction of Australian and New Zealand mutton and lamb exports was infinitesimal and bore no relation to the reduction of British exports to New Zealand. Sir Maningham Butler asked whether this accorded with the Ottawa Agreement. Mr Ellis Smith suggested that the New Zealand Government was being attacked. ' Mr Tom Johnston pointed out that New Zealand was still Britain's best customer and asked whether her difficulties were due to city financiers. Mr Stanley admitted that New Zealand had always been an excellent customer, but said he did not desire to anticipate any statement he would be making to Mr Nash. Mr Stanley did not reply to the question of a Labour member, Mr M. K. MacMillan, whether Government supporters should attack the financial stability of a friendly country. Sir Thomas Inskip (Dominions Secretary) replying to question, said he understood the New Zealand Public Works Minister, Mr Semple, did not say that dividends from national enterprise had been reduced. He declined to answer Dr. H. Dalton’s assertion that New Zealand Labour Ministers’ statements were frequently misrepresented. Mr Smith emphasised that New Zealand was more loyal to British interests than other governments.