IMPORT SCHEDULES

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 2

IMPORT SCHEDULES

ISSUED FOR THIRD PERIOD. FURTHER REDUCTION NECESSARY | ■ — I [PEIi PRESS ASSOCIATION.] 1 I WELLINGTON, October 20. < : Schedules were issued, to-day. set- < ting out the basis on which import licenses will be issued lor the -bin period, January-June, 1940. The imports during the January-June perio.. . of 1938 are again taken as a basis lor the issue of licenses during the coiresponding period next year, and tne same procedure generally in regaic to applications and the issue of licenses will apply. . Mr. Nash states that in reaching a decision on the matter the Government has given the fullest consideration to .all issues, with a view to deterniinhig whether any modification might, with advantage, be made- to the procedure in operation during the piesent year, for the purpose of control- . ling imports. A number of suggestions had been received in that connection, and had been <carefullj examined,/ but it. was considered that no procedure, other than that, non in force, would give the measure of control necessary under the existing cncumstances. It had been hoped that the- reductions applied to certain imports during the present period would have had the effect of improving the relationship between imports and the sterling funds available from exports, and have enabled some relaxation of the restrictions to be intide during the next period. Unfortunately, the circumstances which had since arisen had made any relaxation impossible in the meantime. On the contrary, it had been found necessary to effect a further reduction in imports, which necessitated a tightening of the restrictions to some degree. The Minister said he thought this position would have been generally anticipated. In determining the amount of exchange which would be available for the third-period licenses, it was necessary to make provision, not only for ’ payments accruing overseas in respect of loans and other charges, but also for remittances due after December 31 in respect, of the second period licenses.

The necessity to provide during the present period for imports of reserve stocks of certain goods, essential to the maintenance of export industries in order to safeguard their position in the event of circumstances arising which might prevent their obtaining such goods, had also had the effect of constituting an additional drain on sterling funds. Notwithstanding this position, arrangements were being made to import sufficient goods- to meet the essential requirements of the community. In point of fact, the total volume of imports during 1939 would compare not unfavourably with that of 1938, when they were at. a re-latively-high level. The figures for the eight months ended August 31 each year, were: 1938, £36,783,000; 1939. £36,440,00'0. The value of the licenses issued covering imports for the full year (including some carrying no commitment for sterling funds) amounted approximately to £56,000,000. It, was probable that the goods covered bj' such licenses —to the value, perhaps, of several million pounds—would not be imported until after December 31 next. Any such carry-over into the third period would, of course, have the effect of supplementing ti that extent the volume of goocj.s which would be imported under tfie licenses granted for that period. ■ Turning to the schedules of items,’ the Minister said that a very wide range of goods (generally materials for industry and other imports of an essential nature) carried no restriction at all, except limitation in the meantime to the 1938 level. In regard to items in respect of which no basic allegation was being made, applications would be considered individually on their merits. The Minister said that this new procedure was considered necessary in the circumstances, in order that better control may be exercised in granting licenses according to the actual requirements of the importer or manufacturer concerned. It would be necessary in such case.; for the applicant to furnish full details of stocks of such materials, and such other information as might be available, to establish that the goods were actually required.

PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN. The policy of granting the maximum measure of preference 'to the United Kingdom was again evident, said the Minister. It had become necessary, in fact, under the present circumstances, which rendered the. conservation of sterling exchange a. matter of major importance, to purchase so far as possible our goods from the United Kingdom, consistent with meeting essential requirements. To that end, restrictions had been applied to imports of certain classes of goods, which previously had been admitted from all countries on the same basis as those from the United Kingdom, while in ether cases the existing restrictions had been increased.

The position regarding imports o! motor-vehicles was still under consideration, but it was expected that, a decision would be reached in the course of a few days, when an announcement would be made. The Minister said that attention had been called to the possible difficulty of obtain supplies of certain goods from the United Kingdom, under existing conditions. Where this was found to be the. case, every consideration would be given Io applications to import goods from other sources, hut in view of the necessity for maintaining the maximum, volume of trade with the United Kingdom, and conserving the sterling exchange*, it would be expected that imports should come from that source wherever possible. Failing that, preference, would be given to imports from some other Dominion.

It was recognised, also, that owing to the uncertainty attaching to trade in war-time, it would not be possible in all cases for importers to arrange for goods ordered under their licenses to be imported by June 30 next. It had accordingly been decided to permit goods to be imported under licenses not. later than August 31 next.

Applications for licenses must, be lodged not later than November 30. The concession made in respect of I he admission of goods for which firm orders had been dispatched or placed overseas prior Io December 6. 1938. would not bo continued after November 30 next. Mr. Nash said that the Government fully appreciated the difficulties which confronted importers in connection

with imports during the present period, owing to the insufficiency ofsterling funds. It is expected that, provided imports are spread more or less evenly over the whole period, funds for remittance in respect of many, if not most of the licenses for the third period, would be available as and when required in the ordinary course of business, but in any case not later than August 31 next. It would be necessary for licenseholders to continue to apply to the Reserve Bank, through the trading banks, for remittance authorities covering their licenses.' It had been hoped to be able to dispense with this procedure, but in view of the uncertainties of the position arising out of the Avar and otherwise, it had been deemed advisable to continue it in the meantime.

“As already indicated, however, if all goes well, importers generally should be free, of most of the difficulties they experienced in the second period in arranging for imports on the basis of deferred payment.’’ said the Minister. “In addition, it is hoped that it may be possible to review the months fixed under the remittance authorities already issued, and to allow overseas payments earlier than provided for in those authorities. Importers desiring any such rearrangement, or certainty as to when funds can be made available for their particular imports under third-period licenses, should apply to the Reserve Bank, through the local branch of the trading bank with which they deal. It is inevitable that the restrictions which it. has been found necessary to impose should bring some difficulties to those affected, but there does not appear to be any alternative which would not bring greater difficulties. Given maximum co-operation—and I have no doubt that it will be forthcoming—within a comparatively short period it will eventually lead to a greater measure of economic stability and security.”

| EXTRACTS FROM LIST The following are some of the more important extracts from the list: — List “A”—goods admitted without restriction from any country, except that, in the meantime, licenses will be limited to the value of the imports of such goods by the applicant during the corresponding period of 1938: Co-coa-beans, raw; coffee, raw; tea in bulk, medicated confectionery, rice dressed or undressed, rice-meal refuse and rice-meal, salt, arrowroot, sugar n.e.i., molasses, treacle, tobacco. unmanufactured; tobacco for sheep wash or for insecticides, spirits for fortifying New Zealand wines, spirits wholly denatured in New Zealand, alcohol for use in museums, universities, hospitals, etc., disinfectants viz., sheep dip, weed killing, scrub killing preparations; dyes, manufactured; essences, synthetic; and esters, ethers etc. for use in manufacture of essences or perfumes; essential oils; bags and sacks of jute; hemp or hessian; cornsacks; woolpacks; brattice-cloth of jute or hessian; umbrella-makers’ materials; upholsterers’ materials; yarns of cotton, silk, artificial silk, and imitation silk; boots, shoes etc. —children’s 0 —9»; films for cinematographs (subject to special arrangement); band instruments; records for gramophones, etc.; true vegetable parchment; glazed transparent grease proof paper, unprinted; carbon and similar copyingpaper (not elsewhere included!); paper n.e.i. in rolls lOin wide or over; iron, etc., sheet, plate or hoop; corrugated sheet, iron; plain shafting; wire netting, metal wove wire, metal gauze, expanded metal, lathing and fencing; bicycles, unassembled; motor spirits; refined mineral oils n.e.i. not exceeding .860 s.g. at 60 deg. F.; Oil n.e.i. including mineral lubricating oil. List “B”—Goods admitted from United Kingdom up to level of imports in 1938 but subject to restriction from other sources. The percentage of reduction in each case is shown in the following order: (1) United Kingdom, Crown Colonies and Protectorates; (2) Self-governing Dominions; (3) Foreign. The abbreviation •■n.e.i." means "not. elsewhere included": — Children's socks and stockings nil—-

.100 —100; babies’ clothing nil- —100— 100; hoot am! similar laces, other I han leather nil —100—100: sewing cottons, silks, threads and twists, etc. mending yarns of wool or containing wool not exceeding 45 yards nil- —100 —100; piece goods of silk, artificial silk etc. —knitted (except circular knitted artificial silk piece goods) nil —nil —100; boots and shoes of canvas with rubber soles; goloshes nil—s0 — 100; paperhangings nil —50 —100; wrapping paper—large size nil —50— '100; agricultural implements and machinery n.c.i. (including swath turners and side rakes and spare parts of bayrakes, not hand, and spare parts of hay. straw and wool presses and chaff cutters) nil —50 —50; dairying machinery n.e.i. (excluding pasteurizers. milk coolers, milking machines and churns) nil—nil —so; wrought iron and ollmr pipes n.c.i. nil —nil— !()<». 100. Builders’ ami cabinetmakers’ hardware nil —nil—so. List “C" —Gootls subject to a reduction of 25 per cent, from the United 1

Kingdom and subject to restriction from other sources (in the same order as above): Clocks, time-registers and time-detectors 25—50 —100; watches 25—75—75. Hist “D”—Goods subject to a reduction of 50 per cent, from the United Kingdom and subject to restriction from other sources (in the same order as above): Linoleum, cork carpets. and rubber flooring 50 —100 — 100; bicycle, tricycle, and perambulator tires 50—100—100; stationery n.e.i. 50—100—100; chinaware, etc., for table use 50—100—100; sporting, gaming and athletic requisites n.e.i. 50—100—100; tobacco pipes, pouches and cases, cigar and cigarette cases and holders 50—100—100; printed books, papers, music or advertising matter n.e.i. (excluding paper transfers) 50—50—50; motor cycles 50— 100—100.

List “E”—Other items subject to reduction from the United Kingdom and other countries (in same order as above): Carpets, floor-coverings, floorrugs, mats and matting n.e.i. 75 —100 —100; textile piece goods of wool or containing wool n.e.i. 33 1-3 —100 — 100.

List “G” —Items in respect of which no licenses will be granted in the meantime for imports from any country: Chicory, cocoa, chocolate; also cocoa or chocolate mixed with milk or with other food substance; coffee, roasted; coffee, essence of; tea, n.e.i. (in packages under 51bs); chewing gum; confectionery n.e.i.; liquorice n.e.i. and sugared or crystallised fruits (other than medicated confectionery); fish, fresh, smoked, dried, pickled, salted, preserved by cold process or preserved by sulphurous acid n.e.i.; fish, potted and preserved, n.e.i.; matches; soap; cigarettes n.e.i.; tobacco, cut (manufactured); tobacco, n.e.i. (manufactured); ale, beer, stout, cider etc.; spirits and spirituous mixtures; wine, all kinds; disinfectants n.e.i., including coal tar acids etc; essences, culinary and flavouring n.e.i.: apparel made to the order or measurements of residents in New Zealand; shirts', pyjamas, and night-dresses, not knitted; collars and cuffs for shirts (except dressed linen (stiff) collars): braces, suspenders, garters, belts, and similar articles; neckties; men’s and boys’ overcoats n.e.i.. suits. coats; trousers, waistcoats and similar articles; apparel, other kinds (other than children’s socks and stockings, and babies’ clothing); drapery n.e.i.; carpeting. felt (not under-felt); haberdashery n.e.i.; millinary of all kinds (except hoods, see T.l. 161): rugs n.e.i., other than floor-rugs; al! goods included in tariff item. No. hlx 180. other than piece goods (tablecloths, towels. quilts, sheets etc); boots, shoes, etc. n.e.i.; rubber hot water bags and hot water bottles; roofing tiles, ridging and finials, glass and earthen; sheets, roofing slates and tiles, ridgings and finials, composed of cement and asbestos; fancy goods and toys: walking sticks; combs, hair and toilet; tennis, badminton and squash racquets and golf clubs; pianos, player pianos, organs n.e.i., harmoniums and similar instruments; musical instruments n.e.i.; phonographs, gramophones etc., (except. gramophone needles); stationery and paper, manufactured: radio sets; electric, irons; sheep-shearing and horse-clipping machines; vacuum cleaners.