IMPORT CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 137, 12 June 1941, Page 8

IMPORT CONTROL

ROYAL COMMISSION

REQUEST BY BUSINESS ME*

-The thing Is little short of public scandal, and I would trn* that the Chamber press for a Rom Commission on the administna-, of the import control system in \w Zealand," said Mr. Gainor Jactam at a meeting of the council of*£ Auckland Chamber of Commerce «S. morning, when matters import control were once moreuM.. review. -^^ Mr. Jackson declared that the* was need for some exposure oft£ irregularities in connection wS! import control. These irregularis were widespread. Ordinary trade* in New Zealand who paid inoom* tax could not get licenses for certain goods which were on the prohibited list, yet some Australian firms wei« getting blanket licenses for wbollr manufactured goods. v The chairman, Mr. L. A. EanV reported that the Associated Chambers of Commerce advised that iti importers committee had considered the question of sixth period licenses, and had made representations to the Government to issue them without further delay. In replv to a question by Mr. \V. A. Boucher concerning the setting up of an import advt sory committee, Mr. Eady said the matter had been actively pursued br the Associated Chambers, and fmther advice had been sent to its executive concerning Auckland's views on the subject. Mr. A. M. Seaman thought the Chamber should press for the sixth period licenses being issued as promptly as possible. Action in the matter would be subordinated by pushing for the setting up of the advisory committee. Another member urged drastic action being taken to get satisfaction concerning import problems, and went so far as to suggest the sending of a large deputation to Wet lington by special train. Mr. Boucher said the position was ridiculous. It simply drifted and drifted, with the Chamber pasanc resolutions and getiing nowhere. Mr. Jackson moved that the Chamber directly urge on the Government the desirability of setting up a Royal Commission to inquire into the operation and administration of the import control regulations. He said he positively despaired of the Associated Chambers taking any action. After some members had stressed the inadvisability of not acting collectively, the motion was defeated, but a further motion, moved by Mr. Jackson, asking the Associated Chambers to pursue the matter of having a Royal Commission set m immediately was carried.

It was further decided that the importers' section committee should go into the question of co-operating with the Canterbury Chamber in making some representation to the Government on the subject of the setting up of a permanent advisory council to deal with import licensing matters.