WAIKOUAITI WRECK

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1939, Page 5

WAIKOUAITI WRECK

REPLACEMENT OF CARGO

fPEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Decembei' 8.

The replacement of cargo lost on the wrecked Waikouaiti, the granting of import licenses and the provision of funds covering such licenses were the subject of a statement made by the Minister for Customs (Mr. Nash). The Minister said that a number of inquiries had been received on this question.

“It is proposed to consider applications having regard to the nature of the goods and whether any additional drain on the Dominion’s overseas funds is involved. In view of the necessity to conserve overseas funds for essential requirements it may be necessary to decline applications if the goods are hot of an essential character and a further remittance of funds is required. “If replacement does not entail any provision for additional funds the issue of a further license to import will not be necessary. Importers may find it possible to arrange for the replacement of shipments by utilising insurance money payable in Australia. Any applications for licenses. to import goods in replacement of those lost should be submitted to the Collector of Customs with full particulars of the value of the cargo lost, how payment to the supplier is effected, how it is insured, and whether it is payable in or out of New Zealand,” said the Minister.

“The seriousness of the loss of cargo of this nature, particularly at this time, when most of the goods are so urgently required, many of them for manufacturing purposes, will be realised,” said Mr. Nash, “from the following list of some of theitems in the cargo, little of which, it appears, will be saved: —

“Seven hundred tons of coal, a large quantity of hardwood timber, a large quantity of structural steel, roofing iron and sheets, machinery, electrical equipment, copper cable, wire netting, nails, wire, tin ingots, lead bars, drugs. “Rubber goods, crepe rubber, cod liver oil, olive oil, colours for paints, dyes, felt, desiccated coconut, rice, bottles, sheepdip, plywood, linseed oil, lubricating oil and grease, brake material. “Tea, gluten, flour, cornflour, cream of tartar, tartaric acid, citric acid, piece goods of cotton and rayon, nitrate of soda. “Grass seeds, fruit juices, preserved fruits, including pineapple, wine, wheat, glycerine, chewing gum, hemp, and wrapping paper.”