ARMADALE’S CARGO

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 280, 21 August 1940, Page 6

ARMADALE’S CARGO

Not Admitted Under Second

Period Licence

INCON V ENIE NC E CA U 8 Ell IMPORTERS

Attention of the Welliiigrou Cliiuuber

of Commerce was drawn last night to

the position of cargo brought to New Zealand from America recently in the

steamer Armadale. It was suited that tlie cargo had been promised admission under second-iteriod imqmrl licences, but was now being admitted only under third or fourth perioil licences, witli

consequent inconvenience to im[>oriers. The secretary, Mr. E. M. Bttrdsley, reported that the Associated t'liambers of Commerce had written to the Minister of Customs stating the iwsition. The Armadale left New York on Mtry

25 and was due at Auckland on July 1. The local agents, the federal Steam Navigation Company, therefore asked the. Customs Department that the cargo should be admitted under second period licences. They received a reply in the affirmative. The many firms concerned made arrangements accordingly.

Because of delay, partly enforced by the naval authorities and the necessity of calling at a non-seheduled port., the Customs Department would not now admit, the goods under the second period licences. The decision was justified iti the case of goods shipped at .Mexican ports after May 31, but not in that of New fork goods, said the Associated Cbamlwi-s. Tlmy asked that the assurance concerning the admission of the goods under scond period licences should stand. The Minister eventually replied, said ‘Mr. Bardsley, to the effect that careful consideration had been given to the representations, but the goods would have to be cleared under third or fourth jxtriod licences. If importers were not in possession of siueh licences, consideration would bo given to their applications for fourth period licences, hut the amounts granted would be made a charge against any allocation Io which tliey might otherwise be entitled for similar goods in (he fifth or subsequent periods. 1 “There’s no reason whatever for it.” said Air. Bardsley. “The goods are just lying in the wharf sheds, and the importers are being charged storage.” Mr. AV. H. Hintlie said it; was a deplorable attitude on the part of the Minister. It constituted a definite breach of faith. Tim agents for the ship had been given a clear undertaking that cargo would lie imported under second jieriod clearance, but through what would bo described as “force majeure” the vessel had been delayed, by no fault of the importers. It would have been just the same if it had been delayed those 10 days by adverse weather, which would constitute an Act of God.

Surely, he said, the Minister’ could not. fully unde.rsland or appreciate the position, or the difficulties being experienced by business firms and business men today, or he would not. have made a reply which contained no sound reason for ills action. The chamber should take some action- —should take the mat, ter up on behalf of t.hos'e whom lie could only term “an oppressed minority.”

Tiie matter was referred to the committee for inquiry.