ARMADAIE'S CARGO

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 33, 7 August 1940, Page 5

ARMADAIE'S CARGO

DELAY IN ARRIVAL

IMPORT LICENCE QUESTION

The refusal of the Customs Department to admit on second-period import licence cargo brought from New York by the motor-ship Armadale, which was recently damaged in a collision in Cook Strait, was the subject of discussion by the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening.

The secretary (Mr. E. M. Bardsley) said that the Armadale left New York on May 25, her due date of arrival at Auckland being July 1. The -Customs Department agreed that the cargo should be permitted to enter New Zealand on second-period licence, but through delays, partly enforced by the Naval authorities and also due to the necessity for calling at a non-scheduled port, the Armadale did not reach Auckland until July 11. The result was that the Customs Department would not now admit the goods on second-period licence, the normal time limit for which was June 30. It might be that the decision was justified for goods shipped at Mexican ports after May 31, but it could not be so for New York goods.

The president (Mr. R. H. Nimmo) said that the representations made to the chamber clearly indicated hardship to importers.

It was decided to urge the Minister of Customs, through the Associated Chambers of Commerce, to extend the time limit in the unusual circumstances of the case".