IMPORT LICENSES ON UNITED STATES ARE UNDER REVIEW

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 October 1947, Page 6

IMPORT LICENSES ON UNITED STATES ARE UNDER REVIEW

(P.A.) Wellington, Oct. 1. The Associated Chambers of Commerce recently took up with the Customs Minister (Mr. Nash) th e question of import licences on America, stating: “Certain of our members have raised the question of American orders placed under th e currency of existing import licences, but which cannot be delivered before December 31, 1947. It is clear that goods in many categories will be so affected, and with an appeal from Great Britain to conserve dollars It is unlikely renewals or fresh import licences will be issued in all cases. Having regard to the fact that any widespread cancellation of orders wdll adversely affect New' Zealand’s good name in North America, it is felt some clarification should be obtained as' to the action imuorters should take.”

Replying, ths Minister in a letter states: “A general review of licences issued for imports from the United States and from Canada is at present being undertaken, as developments during recent weeks have necessitated that our expenditure of dollars be confined wdthin the limits of urgent essentiality. For the same reason it is essential to avoid, as far as possible, a carry forward of commitments from one period to another. Imoort-.; of goods which do not arrive during the currency of licences under which they w'ere ordered will, unless there is some circumstance warranting the granting of a special provision, become a charge against licences for the subsequent period during which they are imported. The question of whether special 1948 licences will be granted to cover importation from America after December 31 of goods which were ordered under 1947 licences can only be considered in relation to the nature of the goods concerned In the case of essential goods —specific machines in respect of which the importer does not already hold a 1948 licence under whi?h they can be entered —consideration will be given at the appropriate time to applications for soecial licences to enable thp good s to be entered.” The Comptroller of Customs, replying to other points raised with him by the Associated Chambers, state*. “Licences for goods, orders- for which were placed and accepted overseas prior to the review’ of licences being commenced, will be endorsed as approved. Production to a trading bank of a licence endorsed as approved will enable a remittance authority to be obtained. The endorsement, on the licence delates only to good s covered by such endorsement. Any balance on the licence should be the subiect of further application for approval. A client should present his licence for endorsement and then forward it to his ‘buying house.’ w'ho can, in turn, apply to his trading bank for a remittance. The review applies to licences for 1947 and 1948.”