IMPORT CONTROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21805, 7 November 1940, Page 5

IMPORT CONTROL

Facilitating Operation Suggestion To Minister By Telegraph—Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, November 6. Import licensing and ways of facilitating its operation were considered today by the Dominion conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. “Though Auckland presents this remit,” said Mr A. Ely, “I wish to emphasise that it does not imply that the Chamber is in favour of the import licensing system.” The original remit suggested that “in view of the improvement in overseas funds import limits should be extended,” but those words were deleted on its being pointed out that under present circumstances the fact that there were more funds at London did not alone justify the extension of licences except for war purposes. There were important commitments that had to be met from London funds it was stated. In its amended form the remit was adopted as follows: “This conference considers that during the operation of the import control system its application should be made less irksome, expensive and complicated to the importer. To that end it recommends that (a) import licences extending over a period of 12 months should be in the hands of importers at least four months before the opening of the period to which they relate; (b) the licences should cover classes or categories of goods (not tariff items as at present) and the classes should be made reasonably wide in scope; (c) in the event of supplies not being available from the original licensed sources within the limited licence period, the importer should have the right to transfer orders under the quota from any one portion of the Empire to any other.” The Minister is also to be asked to reconsider the appointment of members of the commercial community in dealing with fifth period licences. Business Prejudiced “We can see at present in a very clear manner how importers have been prejudiced by the insufficiency of time allowed in connection with fourth period licences,” Mr Ely said. “Many importers who ordered goods from abroad immediately licences were issued are finding it physically impossible to land them before December 31, 1940. Under the exigencies of war the risk of production delays is enhanced and under the convoy system the chances of ships being delayed or diverted en voyage are great. The authorities in New Zealand should recognise the position by more elastic provisions than have so far been announced in connection with the last date on which fourth period goods may be landed without having their values written off against period licences. One is sometimes constrained to wonder whether some of those in authority in New Zealand realise there is a war on. Such rulings as those recently given by the Minister of Customs in this matter may well prove damaging to our good name in Great Britain. They are certainly prejudicial to the interests of importers, acting with the best intentions, and to consumers.”