IMPORT LICENCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26033, 22 December 1945, Page 5

IMPORT LICENCES

EIGHTH-PERIOD SHIPMENTS YEAR’S EXTENSION GRANTED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. The Government has decided to make valid for imports *from the United Kingdom up to January 31, 1946, the licences for the year 1945 in respect of goods ordered from the United Kingdom under the eighth-period licences prior to November 1, 1944. This information was given by the Minister of Finance, Mr W. Nash, in reply to Chamber of Commerce representations for the extension of the licence periods on account of the shipping delays in the United Kingdom. The Associated Chambers or Commerce earlier this month communicated with the Minister stating that a number of the principal Chambers of Commerce had raised the matter of ships arriving in New Zealand with goods which, owing to delayed loading on the vessels concerned because of the dockers’ strikes in Britain, would not qualify under the eighth-period import licences which had a currency up to December 31, 1945. The Associated Chambers suggested that an extension in respect of specific vessels might be made to overcome the difficulty or a date might be fixed for the shipment of goods subsequent to the dockers strike / The Associated Chambers also mentioned that a similar position was arising in regard to eighth-period licences in respect of goods from other. countries, on account of shipping shortages and delayed sailings, and it stressed the necessity for making further extensions beyond June 30, 1946, to provide for the acceptance within the ninth period of goods ordered prior to November 1. Mr Nash in reply announced the extension of the eighth-period licences as indicated above, adding that such licences were being granted only provided that the eighth-period licence, under which the goods were ordered and on which there was an unused balance equivalent at least to the value of the orders, was surrendered. It was regretted, however, stated the Minister, that a similar extension could not be granted on shipments from other countries. Full consideration would be given to the suggestion that a further extension beyond June 30, 1946, should be made in respect of goods ordered prior to November 1, 1945.