LEND-LEASE ACT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 11

LEND-LEASE ACT

Minister’s Explanation Well Received MR. NIMMO’S COMMENT “The general feeling of the meeting was that, in view of the Minister’s assurances, the sincerity of which was freely accepted, the business community should extend full co-operation to the Government in this extremely difficult! and delicate matter, recognizing the grave and constantly changing problems presented to the Government in carrying out its war obligations to the Empire, to our Allies and, in particular, to the United States of America,” said Mr. R. H. Nimmo, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, in commenting yesterday on the statement of the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, to a gathering held this week of members of the chamber interested in importations from North America. “In the light of the Minister’s statement the meeting discussed at length various aspects of the position of importations from the United States of America both within and without the provisions of lend-lease, and, recognizing the internal difficulty of the Government in implementing the conditions of lend-lease, whs of opinion that there was a general desire on the part of the Government to assist importers of goods not coming within the provisions of the Act and also to use, as far as possible, the existing channels of distribution of those goods which must be imported by the Government under the terms of lend-lease. As regards goods other than those coming under lend-lease, it was strongly held that importation licences should be granted to the limit that may be possible, having due regard to all other essential considerations. “The Minister outlined the methods covering the placing of orders of ail types of goods, but indicated that ar- - rangements were still in a very liquid state, and that it was only possible for local arrangements to be carried out in accordance with advice received from' the United States of America through the British Government.

“The Minister stated that any action taken by the Government would only be such action as it was specifically required to take by the British and United States Governments, and there the matter would, end. The question of New Zealand Government policy was in no way involved. “The meeting accepted the fact that the Ministry of Supply was working under a very definite handicap and appreciated the sincerity and candour of the Minister in his endeavour to make it clear that the Supply Department had been set up with the sole object of implementing the provisions of the Act and of, rendering all possible assistance to established importing houses. ■ “At the conclusion of the debate following the Minister’s address it was felt that there was no ground for carrying any resolutions, it being left to the council of the chamber to continue to watch developments in the interests of the commercial community generally.”

PROCEDURE OUTLINED

Circular From Purchasing Commission The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has received a copy of a circular notice which has been sent out by the British Purchasing Commission in Washington to all exporters of nonGovernment orders. The notice is as follows:— “Please be advised that on and after June 1, 1941, in order to obtain the endorsement of the British Purchasing Commission on your applications for export licences, it will be necessary for your orders to be confirmed by the Governments of the countries to which the material in question is destined. “We therefore suggest that you contact your purchasers in the countries concerned and hove them submit to the Governments of such countries details of the material they wish to import from you. Your purchaser should then request that, if the Government in question approves of such imports, the said Government should communicate by cable to this office authorizing such exports from the United States, and thereby approving the endorsement of your applications by the British Purchasing Commission. “This rule will apply to all countries of the British Empire with the exceptions of Great Britain and Cauada. . “With regard to material which is exported under unlimited license numbers, the same authorization from Empire Governments Will be required in order that we may issue prior release certificates for each shipment. Collectors of Customs will be notified not to accept shipments against our unlimited licences unless such shipments are accompanied by a prior release certificate.”