MANY SURPRISES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 8

MANY SURPRISES

LICENCES IN AUCKLAND JAPANESE GOODS BANNED STAFFS GIVEN NOTICE OF DISMISSAL [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Jan. 4. Auckland importers received man,, surprises when import licences were received in to-day's mail. Japanese goods appear to have been completely banned under the trade licensing restrictions and British goods have been variously affected. In some instances there have been heavy reductions in the quantities allowed, but in many cases the full amount applied for is approved by the Customs Department. Owing to the big cut in trade which will result, some Auckland indentors and importers decided this morning that immediate action must be taken to reduce their overhead. Members of some staffs were given notice of dismissal, and the position of many others is uncertain until it is asceitained whether appeals against the decisions of the department will be successful. Many Appeals Likely. “The Government will be swamped with appeals,” said a prominent merchant in commenting on the position. “If applications are not granted there will be large reductions in wholesa'e and retail staffs in Auckland within a few days. There is no alternative open to indentors and importers if they cannot maintain the supply of goouc for their businesses.” In an official statement lhe Bureau of Importers states that officials have been inundated with inquiries as to the reason for the prohibition of the import of British goods. “On making extensive inquiries wc find that there seems to be no system in the method adopted in the refusal.: to grant licences for British goods, states the bureau, “in view of the assurances given by the Prime Minister that trade would not be interfered with. It is evident, in view of the present position, that no reliance can be placed on the assertions of responsible Ministers. Importers are convinced that there are definite embargoes on certain goods, although specific assurances were given by in*. Prime Minister and the Minister of Customs (Hon. W. Nash) that no lines would be prohibited. It is likely that there will be serious repercussions from Great Britain when the extent to which the import of British goods has been prohibited becomes known in England.” Danger of Profiteering. Many importers, when approached to give specific instances ot British goods for which import licences were refused, refused to give details, though they stated that there seemed to he no apparent reason for the discriminate | . "Our view is that if publicity is given to the articles that have apparently been banned, there will be an immediate rush by the public to buy. This will be followed by profiteering and hoarding, which is against the interests of sane business,” said one ousiness man.