IMPORTERS' FEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 18

IMPORTERS' FEARS

"ALARMING POSITION 5 ' EFFECTS ON COMMERCE LOSS IN CUSTOMS DUTIES RAISING COST OF LIVING "It is difficult at present to estimate the far-reaching effect that this new form of control will have on commerce generally, but the loss of revenue to the Government in customs duties is likely to be considerable," said Mr. Hugh Thomson, president of the Auckland Importers' Association, when commenting yesterday on the new measures for import control and the licensing of exports. The fact that control was to be linked up with local manufacturing was alarming to importers, who would eagerly watch the schedule of goods to be affected, Mr. Thomson continued. It was expected that the advent of the production and marketing season would ease the position in London, but, apparently, while regulating the position, opportunity was to be taken to yield to the pressure from local manufacturers. "If this were a temporary measure to alleviate an uneconomic position that had been created, it could be accepted with equanimity, but it will evidently become a permanent measure," said Mr. Thomson. "It will create conditions which are likely to affect our position in Britain, as well as raising the cost of living to the public, by removing to a considerable extent the competition of goods from overseas."

PROSPECT OF MONOPOLIES INCREASED . TAIUFF BURDENS Tho executive of tho Bureau of Importers stated yesterday that although the importing community had been fearing somo form of interference by the Government, it was never expected that the measures adopted would be so buraucratic as those contained in the Import Control Regulations. While the importers were still a little uncertain ns to their own position, nevertheless thev were certain of one thing—practically complete monopolies must accrue to many secondary industries. Importers for a long period had been burdened with increased tariffs and other forms of import restrictions, it was stated, together with increased production -costs overseas, and they were now satisfied that the new regulations would mean for many the failure of their businesses. "Wo believe the primary producers throughout the Dominion are faced with the same predicament, as obviously any restriction of imports must result in diminution of exports," the executive adds. " The far-reaching effects of the restrictions have probably not j'ct been fully realised."

MEAT AND WOOL EXPORT THE OBTAINING OF LICENCES NO DIFFICULTY EXPECTED No interference with their normal business is expected by -exporters of meat and wool in Auckland, as a result of the Government's decision to license exports and control exchange. Heads of firms interviewed yesterday said that, in view of the Government's anxiety to stimulate exports, and so help create London credits, they expected that there would be no difficulty about obtaining the necessary licences, for which applications had, in some cases, already been made. Some concern in respect of shipments for the South Sea Islands, to leave by the Matua yesterday afternoon, -was felt when the announcement of the Government's action was read yesterday morning. This was allayed, however, when it was learned from the Customs Department that export licences were not required for goods exported-to the South Sea Islands, unless they were in excess of the usual shipments. -■■■■--