IMPORTS CONTROL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1945, Page 5

IMPORTS CONTROL

REQUEST FOR LIMITATION EFFECT ON SUPPLIES WELLINGTON, July 21. Readjustments to the system of import control are to be sought by the Associated Chambers' of Commerce. whose executive adopted the following report by its import committee: “With the tenth period of licenses shortly coming under review, no indication so far has been given that the Government intends to make any readjustments l in the system to. accord with changed circumstances operating to-day. While we are fundamentally opposed to the system of import control, as long as it continues to operate there remains the necessity to relate it as far as possible to the realities of the situation. There has been no action in New Zealand equivalent to that taken by the Australian Government in January last, when a lengthy list of goods was removed from import control. The necessity to apply for licenses lor items in short supply throws an additional burden, which in itself is irksome, costly and unnecessary, and which sometimes results in the opportunity to obtain goods which are in short supply being lost. “We consider that the Ministry of Supply should be liquidated at the earliest practicable date and that only such' of its organistion should be retained meantime as is necessary to operate control in respect of those goods against which restrictions on export operate in the country of supply, and which require government to government negotiation. All other tariff items on which licensing is to be retained should be under the jurisdiction of- the Customs Department, which is better equipped and constituted to deal with the situation. ' “The time is overdue for a review of the 1938 base for importations. The relating of importations to the percentage of the money value of the 1938 basis is resulting in fewer and fewer goods- being landed. The 1938 base can never be a yardstick in 1945/46, when world prices have advanced so appreciably. As an instance, though 75 per cent, of the 1938 money value of imports ot motor cars has been authorised for 1946, the increase in landed costs will result in 40 per cent, or less of 1938 cars being brought into New Zealand on a quantitative basis. In addition, shipping freight rates have increased up to 100 per cent, above the 1938 rates. “The New Zealand Government should be asked to state whether it intends to divorce protection from exchange and import control, and lo place New Zealand industries which deserve it. under reasonable tariffs, instead of continuing to use the import control system for the protection of industries. We should seek the assurance of the Government that the programming of supplies will cease forthwith except where specifically stipulated by -those countries whose own export policies still require it.'’