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The Enemy Trading Emergency Regulations

Regulations issued on 4 September 1939 prohibited all trading with the enemy, except with the permission of the Minister of Industries and Commerce.

Wool was the only major export item seriously affected, but New Zealand was protected by the bulk purchase arrangement with the United Kingdom under which her entire surplus would be purchased. Reference has been made to the stockpiling of Commonwealth wool supplies which were cut off from enemy destinations and were in excess of allied requirements.¹

An interdepartmental committee was set up to assist the Industries and Commerce Department in administering the regulations. It dealt with efforts to obtain deliveries of goods destined for New Zealand but laden on enemy ships which had taken refuge in neutral ports, and with applications for licences to import goods of German origin from various sources.