CARGOES DELAYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 6

CARGOES DELAYED

GOODS IN AUSTRALIA LICENCE TERM EXPIRING MINISTER REMAINS ADAMANT Thousands of pounds worth of goods, ordered by Auckland importers .under third and fourth period import licences and held up in Australian ports awaiting a vessel to New Zealand, may become a charge against merchants' fifth period licences or be shut out of the Dominion altogether. It has become impossible for the goods, which include Middle East products such as dates ordered for Christmas, to arrive in New Zealand before December 31, the date of the expiry of third and fourth period licences. Last-minute changes in shipping arrangements as a direct result of war conditions are solely responsible for the goods being delayed beyond December 31, but representations to the Minister j of Customs, the Hon. \V. Nash, to take : this aspect into consideration have proved fruitless. In consequence importers are faced with the position of having a totally unexpected call upon their fifth term allocations, which will place many of them in ' a serious dilemma. Exchange of Telegrams Two expected voyages from Australia have had to be abandoned and when information to this effect was received the Bureau of Importers immediately took up the matter with Mr. Xash. In a telegram to the Minister on Monday the bureau advised that a serious position had arisen in respect of floods from Australia and transhipments via Australia owing to the cancellation of a vessel scheduled to arrive before December 31. The message strongly urged favourable consideration for these goods, as there had been no sailing from Australia since December 2, • A reply was received from the Minister yesterday. Mr. Nash advised that he appreciated the position regarding shipments from Australia, but regretted that he was unable to make any special provision in that regard. Goods im* ported after December 31 would accordingly be admissible only within importers' fifth period allocations. If the goods were at the wharf awaiting shipment on or before November 23, the Minister advised, they would be admissible under special licences if the importer had no fifth period allocation. Criticism from Shippers The failure of the Government to recognise delays arising out of war conditions is giving rise to considerable criticism from shippers overseas. Only last week resentment was expressed by a British firm, which complained that the New Zealand Government had ' failed to realise the overwhelming difficulties facing shippers. A further communication was received from a London house this week telling of delavs to New Zealand orders over which the firm had no control and suggesting that it was time the New. Zealand authorities '"abandoned their pre-war ideas."