IMPORT CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 94, 14 January 1939, Page 10

IMPORT CONTROL

National Conference Planned

ANXIETY CONTINUES Rest Of Licences Expected On Monday Though a statement made by the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, in reply to a deputatipn clarifies some of the broader issues of import control policy, for detailed information about what goods and countries are subject to restriction business men still have only what they can piece together from licences already issued.

Many of the larger firms in Wellington have still not received their licences, and others, who have, are unable to estimate the effect on their business till they have made an analysis of the jiosoitiou. It is expected that practically all the remaining licences will be issued on Monday.

Importers’ anxiety is now concentrated chiefly on the second half of the year, but it has been eased somewhat by Mr. Nash’s invitation to lodge without delay applications for licences for essential imports, which must be ordered now for delivery after July. National Conference. The New Zealand Importers’ Federation and the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives’ Association are collaborating with the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, in calling a conference, to be held in Wellington to discuss the regulations. It is expected that arrangements will be made within a few days. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has received from the Bureau of Importers, Auckland, a copy of the petition which it is intended to present to the Governor-General, asking him to suspend the operation of the regulations. The petition is accompanied by a letter asking the chamber to assist in obtaining signatures, but the secretary, Mr. E. M. Bardsley, said yesterday, that the chamber does not propose to take any action. Wines and Spirits. An importer of wines and spirits yesterday gave the following approximate figures showing the extent to which his imports had been reduced, compared with those for 'the first half of last year: the country of origin, 33 1-3 per cent.; South African wines, 55 per cent.; French wines, 64 per cent.; German wines, 63 per cent.; Australian wines, 55 per cent.; British ales and stouts, 65 per cent.; Australian lager, licence refused; German lager, licence refused. He added that the reduction in business would probably necessitate curtailment of staff. Licences issued to tea importers so far indicate, that no restriction is being placed on that commodity other than that individual importers are being limited to the quantity that they imported during the first half of last year. Licences received by importers of tobacco and cigarettes show that, subject to a limitation to quantities imported during the first half of last year, English tobacco is not being cut down, but tobacco and cigarettes from America and other foreign sources have been entirely deleted. English cigarettes are being reduced in quantity by 25 per cent. Mann lecturers’ Supplies. Some manufacturers complain that, acting on an assurance that there would be no undue restriction of imports of raw materials, they have sent orders overseas, but that banks in London are not prepared to allow shipment' till they have got a cabled certificate that licences have actually been issued. In the meantime these licences have not been issued. Representations have been made to the Minister of Finance and it is hoped that the position will soon be rectified. It. is reported that some overseas manufacturers are contemplating establishment of factories in New Zealand. but confirmation of this cannot yet be obtained.

PROCEDURE DEFINED Import Quotas For Second Half-Year CONCESSION GRANTED By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 13. Advice of a concession in the granting of import licences for the second half of tl»! year was received b.v the Bureau of Importers today in a telegram from the Minister of Customs. Mr, Nash, stating that the procedure for import quotas in the second half of 1939 was at present being determined. Mr. Nash added that applications which justified the early granting of licences for the latter sixmo, nthly period, of the year would be considered by the Government as urgent, and would be granted if the circumstances warranted. The telegram was in reply to one from tlie bureau seeking a list of British Empire and foreign goods prohibited. restricted and unaffected by the liceiising regulations. Mr. Nasi) said that information as lo the allocation" of imports was made available to each importer on making application for a licence.. No general inl' 1 rnia I ion was available in the mean-

\ telegram has been sent thanking lie Minister for his reply, and asking him to nominate a definite date on wliiHi be would meet all importers in

.- pi’oreiice in Wellington. The president of the bureau, Mr. W. A. Boucher. said that the decision to consider the granting of licences for i he second half-year was a small step forward. It remained to be seen however, how much attached to the proviso “if circumstances warranted." Neither this question nor the situation as a whole was clarified as they should be b.v the Minister's reply. Business could not go on under present conditions.

Tiie secretary of the bureau. Mr. R. M. Barker, said that booking of orders for delivery from July onward by softgoods firms and others who normally made such bookings at this time of the year, had been brought to a standstill in recent weeks. The inter-

ruption had created difficulties ami valuable time had been lost, but if applications were dealt with quickly, im porting firms would be assisted in meeting the position. No time woiiht be lost hi preparing applications to im port essential goods in the second half of the year.

An executive of a large department store said that the value of the concession depended on what the Government classed as urgent. In the case of agents handling only a few lines, it might lie of value, but isolated eases would be of little value to a large general business. His concern now wanted to order all its requirements for the second half of the year, amt should really make application for every line to he treated as urgent. In his view, the whole system should ire pul six mouths forward.