SUPPLY IMPORTS

Grey River Argus, 10 June 1943, Page 3

SUPPLY IMPORTS

To N.Z. from U.S.A. INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM N.Z. IMPORTERS, WELLINGTON, June 9. The Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Sullivan,.to-day gave details of an important development affecting all New Zealand importers concerned in importing goods from the U.S.A, and outlined procedure whereby the Ministry of Supply will collect and co-ordinate programme information required by the U.S.A, authorities and the various combined boards in Washington. The proceure does not change existing methods of procurement by New Zealand or affect any procedure connected with the import licensing system. •‘Following my statement of April 6 last,” said the Minister, “which explained to ■ manufacturers and importers the immediate effects of the Controlled Materials Plan upon procurement of supplies, the Government has now been advised that export release of goods from the U.S.A will in future be dependent upon the prior establishment in Washington of forward programme information covering all our needs, irrespective of whether procurement is carried out m terms of Lend Lease, Government purchase, or private ordering. “This situation has arisen from the adoption by the War Production Board and the Board of Economic Warfare in Washington of a new export programme „ licensing system which will replace previous export release certificates in various forms, including the recently extended general license privileges granted New Zealand. The adoption of this . system makes it imperative for steps to be taken immediately in New Zealand to ensure that every single requirement from U.S.A. is included in the overall programme submitted to Washington, with the possible exception of a small category for unprogrammed non-critical items. “The position now is that manufacturers in the U.S.A, cannot schedule orders for production until after receipt of a manufacturing priority and the application for a priority cannot be lodged with the War. Production Board unless there is suffi cient provision in New Zealand programmes for the issuance of an export license. This means that noninclusion of items in the programme will preclude either manufacture of . the gQods required or the issue of an export release certificate. The main concern of all importers, therefore, is to see that their importations, whether now on order or to be ordered, are adequately covered, and to enable such importations to be taken care of, the following procedure has been instituted through the Ministry of Supply for the benefit of importers. It should be carefully noted that this procedure applies only _ to the commodities, specified in a printed list which will be made available together with programme forms in the manner detailed below This arises from the fact that programming is already under wav for man commodities either through trade organisations or som e other procedure with which importers are already acquainted.” 1; Programme forms have been designed and are available together with a printed commodity list and explanatory statement at the Offices of Collectors of Customs throughout New Zealand, also at the Post Offices at Thames and Hamilton. Limited supplies will also be available through the offices of Manufacture!s Federation, Chambers of Commerce, Bureau of Importers and District Oilices of the Department of Industries and. Commerce.

2. All holders of import licenses or their agents or those who have placed orders through the Government should complete these forms and post to the Ministry of Supply not later than Monday, 21st June, 1943. 3 The receipt of completed application forms will be acknowledged by the Ministry. “It is imperative,” said the Minister. “that the programme information should be in the hands' of tne Ministry not later than the date nominated, as already new. programme license system applies to most of the commodities required by this country from the U.S.A., and whilst I appreciate the extra burden thrust on importers generaffy by this fresh demand. I know it will be realised that the procedure is rendered necessary only by overseas conditions related directly to war emergency measures. It has been clearly intimated by the overseas . authorities that speedy compliance with this request is essential not only to ensuie that New Zealand is adequately covered for essential requirements, but also to ensure that production may be planned in the best interests 01 the United Nations’ war ettort. 1 know that this intimation will be sufficient inducement to me L /W Zealand Importers to co-opeiate fully in the scheme.”