IMPORT CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1939, Page 6

IMPORT CONTROL

COMPLAINT AGAINST GOVT.

(Per Press Association.—Copyright)

AUCKLAND, March 8. A lack of candour 'and direction

from the Government in the carrying out of the import control scheme, was alleged by Mr. Hugh, G. Thbnisoil, chairman of the Auckland Importers' Association, Ltd., at the annual meeting of the association. Mr Thomson said that for the purposes of conducting business, any part- of the trading -community had a right to know aheoti the . conditions with which it had to comply. / -

Overseas import trade, with all its ramifications, was a delicate fabric, the sudden disruption of which liad disastrous and far-reaching effects. A lead from the Government as to its method of allotting licenses, and direction as to its future policy, were certainly long overdue if traders were to carry on their business successfully. What the future had in store was unfortunately obscure at present, and the need for close association for the protection of importers’ interests was paramount.

“Without delving into the cause of the depletion of our trade balance, it is our opinion that the position could have been handled in a more businesslike manner with 1 considerably less upset to traders,” said Mr Thomson. “A temporary shortage ,of London funds is no, new'thing |for a government of this Dominion to face. Previous governments experiencing' it havej liandledftjie isituatibi| through' the trading banks by the establishment of an exchange pool, fflie effect of which ; was “to reserve sufficient for. - the requirements of Government and locaii body overseas interest, and'to'"ration the balance among importing' and other exchange channels. “The advantage taken of the position by the present Government - to launch a plan to give further protection to secondary industries, creating in some cases a monopoly, has caused chaos to business such as this' Domin-f ion lias not previously experienced.’’

I SUGGESTION OF ABOLITION

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 9.

Though no indications have been given by the Government that there is any possibility of the restraint ol overseas buying being relaxed,' a

letter received at New Plymouth to-day conveys a suggestions that abolition •of import restrictions has’ r been discussed in London. The letter, which is from the principal of a large New Plymouth firm’s London buyers, states: “From a very reliable source, ail opinion has been expressed to u's that the import licensing restrictions will have become a thing of the past inside ofs.x mouths. The writer is head of a large exporting firm with business connections in all; parts of the world, and .is regarded as -being intimately in touch with commerce, finance, and British politics. . ■ '