GUARDING INTERESTS OF IMPORTERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 72, 17 December 1938, Page 12

GUARDING INTERESTS OF IMPORTERS

Vigilance To Be Exercised

REMARK BY MR. SAVAGE CRITICIZED

By Telegraph Press Association

AUCKLAND, December 16. A decision to adopt a vigilant attitude to protect the interests of importers under the import licensing system was reached by the Bureau of Importers today. In addition, a meeting of the bureau carried a number of resolutions dealing with recent trade developments.

Because it was considered that unfair personal discrimination could result from the import regulations, it was decided to use the organization’s utmost powers “to maintain their right to continue to serve the interests of the consuming public.” The bureau also decided to ask the Government to provide the importing section of the community with the same facilities for radio broadcasts as had been made to local manufacturers. Members expressed resentment at the statement of the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, that “If the Government set out to draft a Bill providing for increases in the Customs tariff there would be the same squealing from importing sections of the community as we have heard in the past week.” It was decided to draw Mr. Savage’s attention to the bureau’s opinion that, when carefully analysed, the voice of the importers would be found to be the voice of the people and that therefore his indictment, though directed against the importing section of the community, was equally applicable to many loyal Government supporters. The bureau also decided to point out that had the Government amended the Customs tariff, importers would at least have known where they stood. It was stated that as a result of the inability of the Government satisfactorily to administer the regulations at present importers had been compelled to take measures which could have been avoided had the regulations been more efficiently introduced. The meeting stated that it considered the Prime Minister’s remarks to be out of place and against the best interests of the people. Appreciation was expressed of the assistance given by the Comptroller of Customs in Wellington and the Auckland Collector of Customs to importers in theii- efforts to give effect to new regulations.