NEW LICENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 13

NEW LICENCES

IMPORTATIONS JN 1940. . —_L_" " " ISSUE NOW BEING MADE REAL TEST YE r f TO COME THE POSITION OF DRAPERY Import licences for the third period from January 1, 1940, are now being received by importers .in Auckland. Where definite cuts are imposed under the schedules recently issued, the Ciistoms Department appears to'be granting up to the full limits based on the 1938 imports, but it is pointed out by traders that the real test of reductions •will be when the Reserve Bank imposes its allocations for remittances, fNo instance is yet reported of an import licence being granted in the category where redactions are not stated on the schedules, but will bo imposed according to conditions as ascertained by the Markei&'ig Department or the Industries and Commerce . Department. It can be expected, however, that applications in this category will take some little time-for consideration. Merchants report that they have suffered a fair number of refusals cations for export licences. ' Drapery Materials As yet none of the big stores appear to have received their drapery import licences. The department's policy relating to several classes -will have an important bearing on the stock position of drapers, so that the issue of licences is awaited with anxiety. Tho predominating items on most drapers' allocations, it is stated, will be materials, other items of drapery Slaving suffered severely from restrictions in most cases. On woollen piece goods United Kingr dom imports are cut by one-third and foreign are prohibited, but most classes come from Britain. On textile piece goods of cotton, linen, hemp, other I vegetable fibre, imitation silk, artificial silk and silk, no cut beyond the 1938 j imports is made, but, • while there is a nominal prohibition on supplies from other countries, considerationsjinay be given to the issue of licences. This proviso has obviously been made in case supplies of some classes are unprocurable from England. . . Much of the fancy cotton goods comes from America in the normal course, and it is expected there may be some - relaxation relating to these, and also to Japanese supplies of artificial silks. Orders lor Gloves , , The total prohibition, on drapery, n.e.i., is not so devastating in effect as may be thought at first sight, the main items of drapery being, in specified classes. The import of gloves is limited to 50 per cent from the United Kingdom, but winter ordering for ladies' skin gloves should have been made two months ago, the issue of the third-term plan of imports being too long delayed for this class. • _ . The cutting out of Belgian and , French supplies affects many highgrade classes not made, in England, and it is predicted that women's wants in fashionable gloves cannot be satisfied fully from imports. ■ / Curtain nets may not be imported, - but stocks in some Auckland stores may last some time. The ban oh umbrella importations will mean the elim- • ination of many fancy classes. The New Zealand industry makes some.; -good types of umbrellas, but obviously cannot cover the fashion range of some overseas industrial countries.

TRADE PROBLEMS CONFERENCE PROPOSED ALL INTERESTED BODIES WIDE EFFECTS OF RESTRICTIONS As a preliminary step toward solving the present difficulties faced by importing, retailing and local manufacturing interests, as the result of further, import restrictions, a national conference of all interested hodies has bden proposed by the United Kingdom Manufacturers and New Zealand Representatives' Association. Immediate steps have been taken to organise the conference. The council of the association, at s a meeting in Wellington, decided that it would do all in its power to obtain modification of the present restrictions, the effect of which was being felt not only by commercial interests and primary producers, but also by the consuming public. It was reported' that within the last few days some firms dealing only in United Kingdom had decided to close down, witli consequent dismissal of staffs. ; : Some of the firms affected, it was stated, had been in existence for many years, and there was no doubt that the position would be accelerated, as manv firms had carried on up to the present in the hope of a definite easing of the restrictions. It was considered that the effect would extend from the importing side to the retailing interests, and it was feared that unless considerable modification was made a serious unemployment problem would result. /. " Vfl , The problems arising from the difficulty of overseas suppliers obtaining immediate payment for goods-shipped to New Zealand were also considered. Reports received from interests in the United Kingdom indicated that, in spite of the war, they were determined to maintain export trade, which was deemed essential. . ,