IMPORT LICENSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10507, 7 February 1920, Page 8

IMPORT LICENSES

NOT REQUIRED FOR GOODS TO BRITAIN. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner has been advised by cable from the Department of Overseas Trade, London, that in view of a recent decision in tlie courts, import licenses are not required at present on shipment of goods to the United Kingdom, in rcspeqt to which restrictions remained in force after September Ist, 1919. except. firstly, firearms, military aims and parts thereof, ammunition and explosives ; secondly, certain articles specifically prohibited by the '‘Customs Consolidation Act, 1896,” or other enactments. In view of the judgment H.M. Customs have been instructed to allow importation of all articles affected pending, either reversal on appeal or legislation. Appeal against Mr Justice Sankey’s decision is being entered. Tlie position is that licenses are 'not required at present, but in the event of restrictions being reimposed by legislation, or judgment being reversed on appeal, licenses will not bo granted merely on the ground that the goods had been ordered between now and the date of re-establishment of restrictions, but the decision to grant or refuse licenses would be based solely on consideration of the reasonable requirements of the country.