THE FUTURE FOR IMPORTERS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22717, 23 May 1939, Page 10

THE FUTURE FOR IMPORTERS

CAN GOODS NOW BE

ORDERED ?

DISPATCH OF PAYMENTS

OVERSEAS

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT ON

SITUATION

“Naturally I have not had time to give full consideration to the situation, am! without such consideration it is cimicult to appreciate the full significance of the verdict of Mr Justice Callan that the import restrictions are invalid,’’ said Mr L. L. Jones, chairman of the importers’ section of the Chamber of Commerce, in ft statement to “The Press’’ hist evening.

"The question naturally arises whether importers can immediately order goods with tile right to pass them through the Customs, and while that nifty appear to be so in view of the Court's decision, the further question arises whether payment can be remitted. This is just as essential as the importing of the goods. “it w;is fully anticipated that if the regulations were found to be invalid the Government would do whatever was necessary to validate them, and that importers would therefore be no belter oil.

1 “The finding dues emphasise, however, what has been a hardship and grievance ot importers, by pointing out. that no principles had been laid down by tin' legislature as to how the conlliclinj; ciaims of imports and other exchange proposals should be adjusted, nor how should be adjusted conflicting claims between imports ITom dill'ercnl countries, between imports Of dill'ercnl hinds, between imports of the same kind but intended for different uses, and between imports of the same kind, imported from the same country and intended for the same use in New Zealand, but imported by different perS* HI S. Removal of Anomalies “Instead, there was a reign of secrecy ilia! involved business in an uncertainly that was disastrous. Rulings from day to day were confusing. “According to the ruling of the Judge the Minister should have made his decisions public and not sub-delegated 1 1 is power, 'that is what the importers so urgently desired. "Whatever the final result, we feel thru this finding will have bemTieial results in removing many of the anomalies governing the regulations and facilities and expedite the issue of licences or whatever is substituted for them. "Perhaps the Government will now give consideration to the alternative scheme of finance put up by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce at the Dominion conference of importers in January. Canterbury Plan “The Government was then recommended to; - ia> Fix the amount of sterling each importer can use for ill months bast'd on, say, a one. two. or three years' average of imports, loss whatever percentage the Government considers necessary to conserve sterling funds, i,bt Protect articles of local manufacture bv listing such goods as are to he prohibited from entry or restricted by means of permits.

no Vary the direction of trade by listing items subjected to restriction from certain countries. ■ cl) Set, up an Import, ’Tribunal consisting of men skilled in trade and commerce, associated with Government ellicials. to hear and decide appeals. “11, is suggested also,” Mr Junes said, 'That tribunals should bo appointed in each main centre to interpret the decisions of the Minister and advise him si, that he can make decisions wisely and in the better interests of the Dominion as a whole.’