IMPORT LICENSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1945, Page 2

IMPORT LICENSES

EXTENSION GRANTED.

WELLINGTON, December 21.

The Government has decided to make valid. . for imports from the United Kingdom up to January 31, 1946, licences for the year 1945 in respect of goods' ordered from the United Kingdom under the eighth period of the licences prior to November‘l, 1944. This intimation was made by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash) in a reply to Chamber of Commerce representations for an extension of licence periods on account of shipping delays in the United Kingdom.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce, earlier.this month, communicated with the Minister, stating that a number of its principal Chambers of Commerce had raised the matter of ships arriving in New Zealand with goods ' which, due to delayed loading on the vessels concerned because of the dockers’ strikes in Britain, would not qualify under the eighth period of the import licences which had currency up to December 31, 1945. The Associated Chambers suggested that an extension granted in respect of specific vessels might be made to overcome the difficulty or a date might be fixed for the shipment of goods subsequent to the dockers’ strike, conformity With which would, qualify those goods for the eighth period licences, even though arriving in New Zealand after December 31. The Associated Chambers also mentioned that a similar position was arising with regard to the eighth period licences in respect of goods from other countries on account of shipping shortages and delayed sailings, and it stressed the necessity for making a further extension beyond June 30, 1946, to pro-vide for acceptance, within the ninth period licences, of goods ordered prior to November 1.

Mr. Nash, in reply, announced an extension of the . eighth period licences as indicated above, adding that such licences were being granted only provided that the eighth period licence under which tlie goods were ordered and on which there was an unused balance equivalent, at least, to the value of the orders, was surrendered.

It was regretted, however, stated the Minister, that a similar extension could not be granted on. shipments from other countries. Full consideration would be given to the suggestion that a further extension beyond June 30, 1946, be made in respect of goods ordered prior to November 1945.