“SOLD OUT!”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25372, 2 November 1943, Page 2

“SOLD OUT!”

AN IMPORT CONTROL STORY

A Dunedin business house is ruminating sadly to-day upon the vagaries of the bureacrats who control imports to New Zealand. The firm’s most recent experience, which is described as “ typical,” is outlined as follows: “We received a cable message from our London buyers stating they had been offered a quantity of a manufactured article which has been in short supply in New Zealand ever since the outbreak of war and unquestionably comes well within the scope of essential civilian requirements. The message stated also that an English export licence covering these goods was available. This offer was subject to an immediate cabled reply from us. “As no New Zealand import licence was available, nor had any been issued for the importation of this class of goods, it was necessary to apply to the Industries and Commerce Supply Department, Wellington, for a licence and a necessary permit before placing any orders. Full details were immediately telegraphed to the department in Wellington, and this telegram was confirmed by a letter giving further details and stressing the shortage of this line throughout the country; A week later the Wellington authorities telegraphed to us that they were unable to recommend the issue of an import licence for these goods, so we cabled to London stating that we were unable to purchase this line. “A month later, an official in the Industries and Commerce Department advised from Wellington that the department had received information from the High Commissioner’s office that our London buyers had been applying for permission to send us a quantity of the line in question. As a result of'this communication, the department was now prepared to recommend to the Customs Department that we should be issued with an import licence provided the goods were still available in London, and that our London buyers could give the assurance that shipment from England would be allowed. “Accordingly, we despatched a cablegram to London giving this information. A week later a reply arrived advising us that the line was now sold out.”