MANUFACTURER IRKED

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 11

MANUFACTURER IRKED

TARDINESS OVER IMPORT LICENSES ALMOST FORGED TO CLOSE DOWN FACTORY REPRESENTATION TO WELLINGTON BRINGS RESULTS Such has been the crippling effect of the tardiness on the part of the Government in granting import licenses and exchange permits that one of the major manufacturers in Dunedin was on the verge of closing down his factory through a shortage of materials—this in face of the promises of the Government, to assist manufacturers as much as possible. It was only through direct representations being made to the Hon. I). G. Sullivan at Wellington that the licenses were,forthcoming, and the position relieved for the factory and the workers. This business—one well established in Dunedin—has advanced considerably through the years, and increased its output three-fold during the last 12 months. It has a large number of employees on its payroll. Application to the Customs Department in Dunedin did not bring results considered satisfactory. In two monthSi three licenses were granted of 12 for which application had been made. Stocks meantime were running short, and the curtailment of work seemed inevitable. No satisfaction could be obtained from the local Customs authorities, said the manager of the business concerned, who added that he would not have tendered applications to the Customs for the goods unless he needed them for his business. However, when they were presented, he was asked if he required them all. That needed only one answer.

11 What right has a Civil servant to tell us what we require to run our business?” he asked indignantly. “Wo would have had' to close up unless those licenses were granted.” After representations had been made to Wellington, they were speedily forthcoming. • “ Why could they hot have been granted in the first place, instead of keeping us waiting for months before anything was done?” he asked. “ Whv do we hare to get in touch with Wellington to have licenses granted, when there is a big staff of Customs authorities here in Dunedin? Can they not do something about it. without Wellington having to be consulted all the time?”