CATTLE LICKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 13 January 1944, Page 3

CATTLE LICKS

MORE IMPORTS WANTED FURTHER LICENSE REFUSED Strong criticism of the action of the Director of Primary Production, Mr E. J. Fawcett, in refusing to grant further import licenses for medicated sheep and cattle licks has been made by the managing director of an importing firm in Auckland. In a letter to “The Mall” the firm states that, although Mr Fawcett was advised that existing licenses were totally inadequate to cover the business in hand, which emanated from farmers and stock raisers who were doing their best to produce more meat, wool and dairy products in the interests of the country, his reply to the application stated that he was not prepared to recommend that further licenses should be granted. “Many alarming examples have been quoted of the disastrous results of bureaucratic control of commerce, and this is another,” states the letter. “Nothing was left undone to demonstrate the need of further quantities than could be admitted under current licenses. When the eighth period license for the year 1944 was issued, we pointed out to the farmers’ organisations and other distributors of this product that the license was totally inadequate, and that a pro rata distribution would be necessary. “In practically every instance the distributors complained that the amount was insufficient. In one case a prominent commercial organisation stated that the quantity allowed to it covered only a quarter of its requirements. Direct telegraphic appeals to Wellington were maev by tlj£ distributors, who were in short supply, but Mr Fawcett ignored the requests and continued to refuse to grant the increased licenses.” The importing firm also alleges that, although the matter was first put before Mr Fawcett on 24th November, it was not until 10th December, after two subsequent telegrams had been sent, that a reply was received. “Some medicated licks have been made in New Zealand for several years,” said Mr F. N. Abercrombie, Collector of Customs, yesterday. “In addition, certain supplies from overseas have been coming into the Dominion ever since the import control regulations came into force. Some farmers prefer the imported article. There is no doubt that this matter would have been referred to the Department of Agriculture in Wellington, and the Customs Department naturally would be guided by the decision of that body.” Officials of the Department of Agriculture in Auckland declined to make any comment.