IMPORT CONTROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23260, 23 July 1945, Page 4

IMPORT CONTROL

Readjustments To Be Sought “Time Overdue For T-b • J,

Review (N.Z.P.A.I WELLINGTON, July 21. Readjustments to the system of import control are to be sought by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the executive of which adopted the following report by its import committee: ■■With tenth period licences shortly coming under review, no indication so far has been given that the Government intends to make any readjustments in the system to accord with the changed circumstances operating today. While we are fundamentally opposed to the system of import control, as long as it continues to operate, there remains a necessity to relate it. as far as possible, to the realities of the situation. -There has been no action m New Zealand equivalent to that taken by the Australian Government in January last, when a long list of goods was removed from import control. The necessity to apply for licences for items in short supply imposes an additional burden, which, in itself, is irksome, costly, and unnecessary, and which sometimes results in the opportunity to obtain goods which are in short supply being lost. “Liquidate” Supply Ministry “We consider that the Ministry of Supply should be liquidated at the , earliest practicable date and that only such of its organisation should be retained in the meantime as is necessary to operate control in respect oi those goods against which restrictions on export onerate in the country ot supplv, and which require Govern-ment-to-Government negotiation. All other tariff items on which licensing , is to be retained should be under the | jurisdiction of the Customs Department. which is better equipped and | constituted to deal with the situation. | "The time is overdue for a of the 1938 base of importations. Tne relating of importations to a percentage of the money value of the 1938 basis is resulting in fewer and fewer goods being landed. The 1938■ oase can never be a yardstick m 19to-4b. when world prices have advanced so appreciably. Motor-car Imports “As an instance, though 75 per cent of the 1938 money value of imports of motor-cars has been authorised ioi 1946. the increase in landed costs will result in 40 per cent, or less of 1938 cars being brought into New Zealand ° n -ln qUa aSm aSiS shipping freight rates have increased up t 0 tOO per cent above 1938 rates. The New Zealand Government should be a skedto state whether it intends to divorce protection from exchange aud „“?P? r l control and to place New Zealand industries which deserve it. under reasonable tariffs, instead of continuing to use the import control system for the protection oi industries We should seek the assurance of the Gov:w W' c mat p.- ww■ T/ ‘< plies will cease forthwith, except w.vie specifically stipulated by those countries whose own export policies stiU require il