Customs Trying To Avoid Car Seizure

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 17

Customs Trying To Avoid Car Seizure

(Neu) Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 5.

’ The Customs Department is investigating ways of avoiding seizure of illegallysold non-remittance cars, the Minister of Customs (Mr Shelton) announced this morning. Where cars had already been seized a proposal wouid be made to the owners which, if accepted, would result in the vehicles being returned, he said. Mr Shelton’s prepared statement gave no details of the proposals. ’The Government is taking what steps it possibly can to minimise the amount of inconvenience suffered by innocent purchasers," Mr Shelton said. “I sincerely regret the anxiety they have suffered because of the need to take seizure action. “AH these cars were imported under the non-remit-tance scheme by persons who unfortunately placed the opportunity of quick personal gain higher than the observance of specific legal obligation they entered into when obtaining permission to import the cars concerned. “Legal action is being taken against the original licence-holder in every instance and prosecutions. 12 of which involve the seizure of motor-cars, have already been authorised,” the Minister said.

"The cases which do not involve seizure all relate to sales which occurred before the Customs Amendment Act, 1961, came into force,” the Minister said.

“The steps taken may seem severe, but there is evidence which indicates that the practice of selling nonremittance cars was assummg racket proportions and firm action was necessary to correct the position. “I would have preferred if this could have been achieved without seizure, but some financial deterrent was necessary because of the premium prices offering for near new motor cars,” he said.

"I have, however, asked the Customs Department whether some procedure can be devised which will relieve an innocent purchaser of the risk of seizure.

“This is being investigated at present and if a satisfactory solution which protects the interests of the department and the innocent purchaser can be reached it will

be adopted in any future case where an unauthorised sale is detected,” Mr Shelton said.

“In cases where seizure of cars has already been made, a proposal will be made by the department to the owners, which, if accepted, will result in the return of their cars to them. “This is in line with the Government’s stated determination that innocent owners in these unfortunate cases suffer as little inconvenience as possible,” he said.