DELAY RESENTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 29 February 1940, Page 2

DELAY RESENTED

SCHEDULE “F” LICENSES IMPORTERS HARRASSED Importers' difficulties have been further increased during recent weeks owing to the failure of the Government to give decisions in respect of licenses included within schedule “F." This schedule contains many essential lines, decision in respect of which is at .he discretion of the Minister. On January 2G, the Bureau of Importers dispatched the following telegram to the Minister of Customs: “Many members are seriously placed owing to the absence of decisions in respect of items classified in schedule ‘F,’ applications for w'nicn have to be considered by the Minister. When can importers expect relevant licenses? Applications to the Collector of Customs are unavailing and apparently are held up by the Industries and Commerce Department." The Minister’s reply, dated February 5, was as follows: “In reference to your telegram of January 2G. every effort is being made to expedite consideration of applications.” A further telegram has now been lispatched to the Minister as follows: ‘Despite your telegram of February 5, our members still are unable to secure licenses for schedule ‘F’ goods. Rising prices overseas and the availability of third period licenses necessitate : mmediatc action. Importers hope that the delay is not part of a considered policy to further embarrass them. Please telegraph reply.giving definite date when * members can , expect schedule ‘F’ decisions." • The bureau states that third period licenses are available only until August 31, and the continued delay in respect of schedule ‘F’ goods must only increase the existing shortage of supplies. Importers explain that rising prices overseas are aggravating the situation and that the Government should have made decisions available weeks ago. The silence raises a doubt in importers’ minds as to whether the lack of decisions is part of the considered policy of the Government.