IMPORT LICENCE DIFFICULTIES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25741, 1 March 1949, Page 4

IMPORT LICENCE DIFFICULTIES

OVERSEAS CARGOES DELAYED EXPIRY OF 1948 PE*RMITS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, February 28. The Canadian steamer Tridale is expected to reach Auckland at noon to-morrow, 12 hours too late for her American cargo to enter New Zealand under the 1948 import control programme. The licensing year ends at midnight to-night, and unless the ship is in territorial waters by that time the importers must either persuade the Minister of Finance (Mr Nasfi) to relax the regulations or arrange for the Tridale’s cargo to be landed against their 1949 licences. The Tridale is one of three ships, carrying goods imported on the 1948 allocations, that are unable to reach Auckland in time to comply with the licensing requirements. Like the Tridale, which was delayed a critical 24 hours by bad weather, storms have forced the Port Dunedin to change her arrival date from Sunday until Wednesday. The freighter Mooncrest, which has been held back by loading difficulties, is not expected until March 10. The Tridale is bringing American goods from New York. The Port Dunedin left Liverpool with general cargo on January '2l, and the Mooncrest is carrying both Australian and transhipment cargoes. \ Representations have been made to the Minister by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to waive the regulations for the benefit of the three unpredictably delayed ships. In reply to the first telegram from the chamber Mr Nash said he regretted that no extension could be granted. No reply has yet been received to a further telegram in which the particular difficulties associated with the present ships were emphasised.