IMPORT LICENSES

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1940, Page 9

IMPORT LICENSES

FOR SECOND PERIOD.

CHRISTCHURCH, August 1. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce is at present in communication with the Controller of Customs with the aim of arranging for an extension of the licences for imports for the second period in respect of goods which have been unavoidably delayed, according to the secretary of the chamber (Mr J. Roy Smith). He said yesterday that delays in the production of goods overseas and shipping diftculties had meant that goods which should have arrived in New Zealand by the last day of the period, June 30, had not arrived till July, and might still be undelivered.

Mr Smith said that representations had been made in special cases in the early part of the month, and goods had been released by the Customs Department. Ther e were, however, goods held at present, in particular those which had arrived by the Armadale, which were urgently required by New Zealand manufacturers. “It is most essential at the present time that a liberal view be taken of the finishing of the licensing period, because of the difficulties of securing delivery and transport,” he said. “The shortage of certain commodites in New Zealand makes it imperative that manufacturers and importers should be afforded the greatest possible facilities. This is in the interests of New Zealand and New Zealand’s war effor as much as that of the manufacturer and importer. The chamber is in communication with the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association with a view to securing joint action ”