EXTRA PERMITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20490, 26 February 1941, Page 8

EXTRA PERMITS

ESSENTIAL GOODS DOMINION IMPORTERS FIFTH-PERIOD QUOTAS AFFECTED BY CUTS (Por Press Association.) V/ELLINGTON, this day. In a letter to the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Nash, says that while no extension can be given to third and fourth-period import licenses, the Government will give consideration to applications for additional licenses for supplies required to meet essential needs from importers whose normal fifth-period allocations of essential goods have been, reduced. No departure has been made from the procedure as originally announced that third and fourth-period licenses would be valid for ‘imports up to December 31, 1940, only and that goods which arrived after that date would be chargeable against fifth-period licenses. With a view, howiver, to assisting in meeting the difficulties surrounding .shipments from the United Kingdom—although the concession was applied to shipments from all countries—a special concession has been made in respect of goods which were shipped or at docks by November 2,3 awaiting shipment, and which did not reach New Zealand by December 31. In such cases, if the importer had no fifth-period allocation within which the goods could be entered, he was granted a special fifthperiod license for the purpose. Vital Supplies Only

To the extent that an importer’s normal fifth-period allocation for essential goods had been reduced by this procedure and for further supplies that are required to meet essential needs, consideration will be given to ipplications in that regard. Preference will be given to such applications —that is from importers who have surrendered their 1940 licenses—in granting additional licenses for that class of goods. Licenses will, in 'any case, be issued for essential requirements under the present conditions. However, it is imperative to confine imports and consumption to absolute essentials. This is the policy of the United Kingdom, desires and the circumstances demand it of all members of the commonwealth in the interests >t the war effort.

While the procedure regarding the termination of third and fourth-period licenses may have created difficulties in certain instances, it is felt that, in general, the position has been met by the course taken and which circumstances have necessitated.