UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 10

UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS

it is not surprising to find that British exporting.linns have been puzzled by the strange policy which the New Zealand Government has seen fit to adopt in regard to the control of imports. It is not contended that there should be no limitation in that respect, but that the exceptional conditions now obtaining should be met by the jjiovision of a reasonable margin in the matter of actual deliveiies. As things stand, an importer can obtain a licence to replace any goods lost at sea through enemy action. If, however, the goods should be destroyed when in railway van or store at the dock side and enemy raiders have intensified their attacks 011 British dock' ai.eas then no licence for the replacement of those lines will be considered in the period stipulated. The drastic distinctions drawn go even further than that. If a consignment is divided between two vessels, and one ship is lost through enemy action a licence will be issued for the replacement of the goods thus destroyed. If the second ship, acting on Admiralty orders, is delayed in its departure, compelled to make a longdeviation en route or wait in some port until given permission to proceed, ultimately reaches its destination after the expiry of the licence period, then the goods, it has been ruled, must be charged against licences for the fifth period. British firms find this very difficult to understand. To them it seems unreasonable and unfair.

To keep the seas open (writes one), our Navy has to pertorm stupendous tasks and it must be reckoned as fortunate these days if goods are delivered and arrive safely at destination. But for your Government to insist upon a timetable is something which we really cannot understand.

That, in effect, is what the Government is doing. It is insisting that ships shall run to some schedule. 1 f goods are lost something will be done, but if they are late in being delivered here then nothing can be done—the importer must face the consequences, although he was no more responsible for the delay in arrival than lie was foi the loss en route. All that is required to meet the position is a margin cd elasticity to enable adjustments to be made. The conditions of trade todav are most uncertain, and it would lie beyond the wit of man to devise rides and regulations that would meet every possible development. What is essential is a sufficient margin of time and reasonableness to enable adjustments to be made as difficulties arise. Why the Minister cannot Admit this really passes human understanding.