Opposition Allegation Of Trafficking In Licences

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30511, 5 August 1964, Page 18

Opposition Allegation Of Trafficking In Licences

(from Our Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, August 4.

“Why does the Government permit the continued trafficking in import licences?” Mr Watt, deputy-Leader of the Opposition, asked in Parliament tonight.

Some importers had more than their requirements of licences and were selling them, he said.

The Minister of Customs (Mr Shelton): Can Mr Watt supply cases?

Mr Watt: I can.

Mr Shelton said no official The Government had not

Instances of trafficking in import licences which would substantiate Opposition charges had been brought to the Government’s notice.

Licence-holders were allowed to deal only in their own rights. In every instance where trafficking had been taking place the licence had been cancelled.

allowed trafficking to continue. Mr Watt: Is that the only punishment? Mr Shelton: Total cancel-

lation is quite a substantial punishment. It is not just for one year, but is a continuing penalty. Trafficking in licences was very difficult to discover, he

said. “We are making strenuous efforts to find instances of trafficking. We know of none.” Mr Watt: The Minister knows of one very well. Mr Shelton: I do not know of an instance at all—unless you mean that case in Christchurch, and those licences have been cancelled.

Answering charges over trafficking in import licences, the Prime Minister said: “The deputy-Leader of the Opposition knows that if a trafficker is caught he loses his licences. He is a public man. If he knows of any cases . . Mr Watt: The Prime Minister knows of cases, too. Mr Holyoake: I do not. The deputy-Leader of the Opposition is acting irresponsibly if he does not bring cases to official notice.