IMPORT LICENSING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21511, 16 September 1944, Page 4

IMPORT LICENSING

WORKING OF SYSTEM questions”in house IRREGULARITIES ALLEGED (P.R.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 16. When the estimatejs of the Public Service Commissioner were under consideration in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr T. C. Webb (Opp., Kaipara) referred to offences by Civil Servants mentioned in the annual report of the commissioner. He said he wanted to know what was done in respect to these irregularities. That was a point that struck deeply into the import licensing system. Allegations had been made of improper practices in- connection with the system, and it was important that nothing of the kind should happen. He noticed in the commissioner’s reoort that two officers had forfeited office on account of misappropriations and that for unsatisfactory work nine had bepn oermitted to resign. Mr, Webb said the fact that there had been allegations of improper oractices gave point to the argument that wire-pulling and graft in connection with import licensing might creep in—lie did not suggest that it had —but the House should make sure that there was no opportunity for suspicion in connection with the work of the import licensing system. What members desired to know was in the case of a civil servant being found guilty and disciplined, what happened to those on the other side who took advantage of the officer’s weakness? It was essential that those who were playing the game with the system should know that those who were not were brought to book. - Prime Minister's Opinions

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said that import licensing came under the sponsorship of the ndustries and Commerce Department. Four officers had been involved in such cases —one permanent Civil Servant and three temporary employees. One had had his services terminated and three had handed in their resignations and they had been accepted. Before that was done the files in connection with the cases were handed to the police by the Public Service Commissioner with a view to action being taken. The police had reported that there was insufficient grounds for action as the cases were more in the nature of secret commissions being received.

Mr. Fraser said he agreed with the principle that those who corrupted Civil Servants also should be examined and punished if found guilty. In these cases that was not possible. Such conduct, especially during wartime. was unfair to the country and to all honest Civil Servants. He hoped that if they, were guilty of such conduct their consciences would convict them. If there was a scrap of evidence available against those responsible they would be gone after.

“Murmuriiigs All Over N.Z.” Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opp., Waitomo) said there had been murmurings all over New Zealand that import licenses had been granted in many cases to people who had not previously imported anything, and naturally the regular importers were annoyed and thought it was unfair. “It is a queer thing that in all these cases of alleged irregularities there is never sufficient evidence to proceed,” continued Mr. Broadfoot. “It gives the general public the impression that there is a desire to keep these matters quiet.” “I feel that we are adopting perhaps too narrow an attitude by insisting that no prosecution will be made unless and until there seems to be a sufficient case to amount to the certainty of a conviction,” said another speaker. “The penal law of this country provides plenty of safeguards of what you might call rash or haphazard prosecution, and I think we should be sure that if there is a prima facie case the Crown would take action in these matters, particularly when the repute of our own Public Service is involved.”