DOMINION NEWS IMPORTERS SEEK SIMPLER PROCEDURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 9

DOMINION NEWS IMPORTERS SEEK SIMPLER PROCEDURE

A clear definition of what constituted “availability” in the matter of goods purchased under import licences was sought by Mr A. E. Budd at. the annual meeting of the United Kingdom Manufacturers’ and New Zealand Representatives’ Association. Mr Budd said ideas of the term did not seem to be elastic'enough to allow manufacturers in Great Britain time, or did the goods in England have to be ready for immediate shipment? Mr W. A. Simpson said a very important matter had been raised. He moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming council to approach the licensing authorities and get a clear definition of the term availability, and circularise members. The motion was carried. An Auckland remit that representations be made to the Government to give local customs officials power to grant special licences under the import control restrictions was supported. In asking that the approval machinery for granting licences be decentralised, the remit stated that ip view of the ever-increasing applications lor special licences, importers in general were facing a further restraint of trade in the 'delays that were occurring in replies to special applications.—(P.A.) Butter Registration. The Food and Rationing Controller (Mr. A. J. Costelloe), in a statement yesterday, asked consumers to assist retailers by printing their name, address, and coupon book number on the butter counterfoil in the new ration book before registering for supplies for the new period.— (P.A.) Scout Medal of Merit. The Governor-Genera], who is the Dominion Chief Scout, has approved the following awards of the Scout Association Medal of Merit in recognition of good services to the Scout Movement: —A. E. J. Corr (Ba?/ of Islands), Major R. F. Ward, N. P. Walker, N. M. Matheson (all of Auckland), C. Ruxton Bach (Papatoetoe), J. Archer Absolom (Hawke’s Bay), the Rev. C. E. Hyde (Waipukurau), G. L. Culver (Wanganui), Miss M. E. Gill (Wellington), C. Halford (Petone), A. J. Black (Dunedin), H. J. Dowling (Invercargill) .—(P.A.) Sunday Screening of Films The Auckland City Council decided, last night, to extend the standing resolution -covering the public exhibition of films on Sundays to allow 16 M.M. films of a religious and educational nature to be shown. The Town Clerk, Mr Ashby, said the question of Sunday films was raised by the Y.M.C.A. advertising a Sunday screening. In the past the council had decided that in no case should films be shown on Sundays. The council granted the applications of two cabarets for permission to remain open until one o'clock on Sunday mornings.—P.A.) Girl Rescued from River.

Noelle West, aged 17, whose parents are believed to live at Auckland. was rescued from the Te Henui river at New Plymouth yesterday morning. She was conscious, and had apparently been in the water only a short time. She was taken to hospital where her condition to-night was reported to be satisfactory. A nearby resident found the girl lying in about two feet of water. She is a pupil of the New Plymouth Girls’ High School, ■where she is a boarder. Residents of the locality said they heard the girl screaming as she ran towards the bridge along the street which bounds the High School grounds.—(P.A.) Radio Ambulance Calls.

Before the war the Wellington Free Ambulance Board investigated the possibility of a radio transmission service between a central station and cars on the road, but seven years ago the cost of installation appeared to be prohibitive. The necessity of having some such means of communication, because of increased ambulance traffic, has becoffie apparent during the last year or two, and once more the board is tackling the subject. It was decided at a meeting of the board that the superintendent should be authorised to apply to the Post and Telegraph Department for a permit to install the necessary equipment for receiving and transmitting sets on free ambulance cars in Wellington.— (P.A.)

A Valuable Find When a man picked up a purse in Tay street, Invercargill, a few days ago, and took it to the police station, it appeared to be a usual incident of a person handing in some trifling lost article, but after investigation- at the station it was found that the finder had done someone a very good turn indeed. As is customary, the constable on duty checked the contents. There were two handkerchiefs and a small parcel—and inside the parcel was £425 in notes and more than £2OO in debenture securities. It was only a matter oi minutes before an elderly lady arrved to claim the purse. She had apparently dropped it while getting into a motor car.

Tourist Traffic Prospects. Commenting on the prospects tor a resumption of tourist traffic, Mr, R. J. Anwyl, Thomas Cook and Sons’ manager for Australia and New Zealand. said that the main requisite was an early return to normal shipping conditions. Mr. Anwyl has arrived in Auckland from Australia and will visit Wellington and Christchurch. Sea travel would net become normal, he said, until ships had been converted from their war-time uses and more ships had been built. In Europe there was a very strong movement to simplify the passport system between countries, and he considered it would be an excellent thing if that freedom of travel were extended generally. A further impetus to tourists would be the lifting of restrictions on the transfer of money. All these things would come about as world conditions improved. At the momept they were preparing reports on all forms of travel, hotels, and other facilities in response to requests from branches in Europe and America. “There is definitely a much bigger interest than ever before,, both in travel to and residence in New Zealand and Australia,” added Mr. Anwyl, “particularly from people in India. They can only be regarded as preliminary inquiries, cannot come yet, but the interest is very definitely there.” -(P.A.)