IMPORT BAN LIFTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 4 December 1940, Page 6

IMPORT BAN LIFTED

j CYCLE TYRES AND TUBES l » LIMITED AMOUNTS ALLOWED j [United Press Association] j WELLINGTON, This Day. The ban on the importation of tyres , and tubes for bicycles and tricycles during 1941 under the fifth period import schedule has been lifted. Import- ; ers have been advised by the Customs j; j Department that an allocation of 25 per cent of the value of previous im- , portations from all sources for tyres ' and of 33 1-3 per cjnt for tubes, will , be permitted. Applicants importing l tyres are expected to provide within [ their allocation for the requirements of those sizes not made in New ZeaI land. A note to that effect will be ; made on the license. The position re- ' garding supplies of tubes will be reviewed later if necessary. The concession is welcomed in the trade, as under the limited importations ruling at present, scarcities' have developed, and the prospect of a total ‘ i ban from Ist January was regarded 1 [ with concern. Wholesale distributors f j have been rationing supplies to deal- » ers, who, it is stated, would eagerly i absorb very large quantities if they were available. ; When the ban was first imposed it 5 was apparently thought the New Zeat land industry could produce sufficient 1 supplies for the cycle trade. According to men in the trade manufacturers 1 have been unable to import adequate ■ supplies of raw materials. A serious scarcity of cotton fabric had limited * the output of tyres, which in any 5 case was confined to certain popular j ! sizes. Difficulties in obtaining valves, j ■ previously chiefly supplied by Switzer- j ; land, had been one of the factors affect- j : I ing the manufacture of tubes. . —!!- rrrr