EXPORT LICENCE PROCEDURE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22895, 16 December 1939, Page 12

EXPORT LICENCE PROCEDURE

SERIOUS DISADVANTAGE SEEN CHAMBER’S LETTER TO MINISTER A serious disadvantage to exporters through the present procedure of issuing export licences from Wellington only is emphasised in a letter sent to the Minister for Customs (the Hon. W. Nash) by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The letter has been sent as a result of the chamber’s discussion at its last meeting, and, while not a criticism of the Customs Department or staff, its aim is to urge on the Minister the need for each of the four main centres to be able to issue licences. The letter, a copy of which was supplied bv the secretary of the chamber (Mr J. Roy Smith) yesterday, states:— “An application for permission to ship goods, supported by a copy of the bill of lading and by the export entry, must be lodged 10 days before the shin sails. The papers are sent to Wellington and the application cannot be approved until advice is received from Wellington at the port at which the application for export is lodged. “The effect of this, except in such cases as may be treated as urgent, is that trading, must effectually cease 10 days before the sailing of a vessel from any port This is a serious disadvantage to exporters, particularly in the case of an active market, and in addition it has the effect of definitely retarding shipment and export, and so adversely affecting sterling funds Even on a normal market, business continues until, say, two days before the sailing of a vessel. “It is suggested that, to assist the situation, arrangements be made for the issue of export licences in each of the four main centres instead of from Wellington alone; and that the period of 10 days be materially cut down. Once the machinery for approval for export licences has been set yp? it would appear that there is no reason why they could not be granted right up to the last moment. “This chamber’s exporters’ committee would be pleased to discuss with you any problems or difficulties that arise in connexion with the proposal which they have made, but they feel sure it would expedite export trade from ports other than Wellington, and should not-involve insuperable difficulties.”