MACHINERY FROM BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23360, 20 June 1941, Page 8

MACHINERY FROM BRITAIN

— CERTIFICATES NOW NECESSARY

NEW PROCEDURE FOR

IMPORTERS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 19. The Minister for Customs (the Hon. W. Nash) to-day drew attention to the procedure being instituted through the Secretary of Supply for the issue of certificates of essentiality in respect of plant and machinery for which orders might be placed by importers with manufacturers in Britain. This procedure was being adopted, said Mr Nash, at the suggestion of the British Government with a view to assisting the authorities in the United Kingdom in controlling production to the best advantage, this course having become increasingly necessary for the successful prosecution of the ’war effort. These certificates of essentiality will be made available by the New Zealand Ministry of Supply for issue with import licences, and it will be necessary for importers, when lodging their applications for import licences with collectors of customs to give the following details regarding plant ana machinery which it is desired t° port: (a) Description and nature of the plant and machinery; (b) the purpose for which it is required; (c) whether it is an extension or replacement of existing plant; and (d) the name of the manufacturer and supplier. It was recognised, continued Mr Nash, that, when making application for an import licence, it was not possible to quote the order number, nor, in some particular cases, would it be possible to give the name of the prospective supplier, but as soon as this information was available it should be sent immediately, together with the import licence number directly to the Secretary of Supply, so that steps might be taken by him t(J acquaint.the representative in the United Kingdom of the New Zealand Ministry of Supply with full details. Similar information should be furnished to the Secretary of Supply regarding any orders for plant and machinery which it was proposed to place in the United Kingdom under licences already granted.