IMPORT LICENCES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 9

IMPORT LICENCES

Effect Of War On Arrival Of Ships FOURTH PERIOD ISSUE

Case For Extension Of Time

Further consideration of the question of fourth period import licences was given by the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last night, when a report on a recent deputation from the Associated Chamber of Commerce to the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash, was discussed. Members agreed that while there could be no suggestion of a breach of contract by the Minister there were extenuating circumstances caused by the war which justified the Minister extending’ the period of arrival for certain cargoes which reached New Zealand within a few days of the beginning of this year, particularly having regard to the large amount of sterling saved. "’i’lic real question at issue is not what the Minister said or meant in a certain statement, but what is the just and honourable course for him to pursue under a certain sot of circumstances.” said Mr. M. G. C. MeCaul.

“We all know that the Government is desirous of saving every possible penny of London money and we recognize the necessity for so doing: but wo say that savings'must be made justly and by honourable means. We will bo wise to ask for no more than that.” Suggested Procedure. The principles lie suggested for general application wore that goods bo admitted under third and fourth period licences subject to the following conditions having been complied with: — The overseas shipper delivered the goods to the docks in good time for shipment by a steamer scheduled to sail for New Zealand in ample time to arrive by December 31. The shipping company provided a. steamer at the docks in ample time or was prevented from doing so by that scheduled steamer having been sunk by enemy action. The subsequent delay was caused by Admiralty action or otherwise directly by the war. “Importers may reply that the above eliminates many deserving cases of real hardship, for instance, all those unfortunate eases where non-delivery of goods to the docks in time was the result of delays at the works caused by the war. There is a real difficulty in considering such claims in that, in the majority of cases, clear undoubted proof could not be made. There would be many fine lines of distinction and to act justly between different importers would be impossible. “I am sure all will agree that if we want the Minister to lie fair to us we must be scrupulously fair to him and sacrifice any portion of our case not capable of 100 per cent, proof.” said Mr. MeCaul. Reasonable Treatment Sought. .

The secretary, Mr. E. M. Bardsley, read a letter from the convener of the importers’ committee of the chamber, .Mr. A. Leslie Wall, in which he said he wished to stress the fact that the deputation to the Minister aske’d hi,tn for nothing more than it thought was fair and reasonable. 'The deputation had laid great, emphasis on the fact that because of direct war action far fewer goods had co,me in against fourth period licences than even Mr. Nash had expected. The deputation had a.ske'd, Mr. Nash to consider this, and allow certain vessels to come under fourth period licences, so that the net result in regard to his fourth period licences would be what be had visualized last November.

Failing agreement, ou that principle the (deputation pointed out that the Minister would be taking advantage of importers’ misfortunes by having the opportunity of reconsidering how he ,could spend the money thus saved. Mr. Nash’s reply in the main was that lie was entitled to this second opportunity of reconsidering wbat licences should be issued, and that he would undoubtedly issue licences for all essential goods up to the needs of the country. Any saving would help to pay for New Zealand’s war effort. No Breach of Contract.

The president, Mr. R. 11. Nlmjno, said there could be no suggestion that the Minister had broken a contract. The point was that extenuating circumstances had been created by the war, and what the chamber had the right io look to the Minister for was a clear explanation as to why, in relation to the sterling position, he could not extend the time for these particular cargoes. “What I say is that the Minister has no right to’ initiate that contract unless he can prove that the importers or their agents are at fault,” said Mr. MeCaul. .Mr. Nimino said he would not. be a party to saying there had been a breach of contract, by the Minister. However, he considere'd that if savings of sterling funds had been effected out of the funds allocated for fourth period licences, then importers were entitled to consideration. Mr. J. Wilsou said that if there was a set of circumstances associated with the sterling position in London which lin’d caused the Minister to reverse his previous practice of granting concessions, where there were extenuating circumstances, it would be a kind act on (tie Minister’s part if lie made the position .more clear to importers. He added that not only were the importers in New Zealand affected, but also the United Kingdom exporters.