IMPORT LICENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 98, 22 October 1940, Page 8

IMPORT LICENCES

(To the.Editor.) Sir, —In a further statement yesterday regarding the currency of third and fourth period licences, dealing! with goods on order and for which no fifth period licences will be granted, the Minister says: "Importers should take steps to ensure either that the goods arrive prior to the end of the year or that shipment is not made." How can importers take steps to ensure that goods will be here by Decembe. 31? That is something nobody knows or can find out. Goods are dispatched from factories in England and not even the sellers know when or by what vessel they will be shipped. Then, once shipped, the route or time on voyage is unpredictable. The alternative is to "see that shipment- is not made." This is ridiculous! Business people cannot cancel as simply as that, j |We have to bear the future in mind, ! and cancellation in such cavalier manner would cause sellers to refuse business again. Further, many goods for New Zealand are specially manufactured and cancellation at short notice is absolutely out of the question. It is not done. No, Sir, the decision of the Minister is unwarranted, inconsiderate, and notj in the best interests of New Zealand. The fourth period licences should be extended and business firms, chambers of commerce, and trade associations should band together and demand reason and justice. While on the subject, what a pity it is that all the trade associations, councils, chambers of commerce, etc., do not combine. If this were done, a strong and united front could be presented to such unjust and autocratic decisions as that of the Minister of Customs regarding third and fourth period licences.—l am, etc., MERCHANT.