Crockery Shortage

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 June 1948, Page 6

Crockery Shortage

MR. NASH’S COMMENTS Wellington, June 27. "I have had an opportunity of examining the article which appeared recently in the Evening Post in regard to the mportation T heavy duty crockery," said the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nasi.), when asked to comment cn s’; ic menu macK . crockery irr.i orler r cently regarding what was termed the "critical shortage’ of this type of crockery. "It should be generally known that New Zealand’s imports must be limited by the amount of Lunds which we have available to pay for our imports. Provision must be made lor ail classes of essential goods, and it has therefore not been found possible to provide such largo allocations for the importation of some other goods as might appear desirable to peisons who are particularly interested In such imports.

"The article in question was latercommented upon in the Evening Post by a crockery importer who covered the general position in regard to the supply of these goods from the United Kingdom. In his statement, however, it was claimed that licences for imports of crockery in 1948 had been granted to the extent of only 50 per cent of the value of our 1958 imports of similar goods. The position is that 1948 licences have by no means been limited to that figure, as the total value of licences issued for imports of crockery during the year is very much in excess of the value of our total 1938 imports of similar goods. "Admittedly, in the meantime, over-seas prices have risen, but even allowing for that, the amounts of licences issued for the 1948 period can only be regarded as reasonable in view of the necessity to provide from the funds available for imports of all classes of goods. Under the licences issued, merchants are free to import heavy-duty crockery as well as the types used in the home.

"It is noticed that it was suggesed in the article that merchants who had licences for crockery but who could not obtain supplies had offered the licences to a local importer at a premium of 20 per cent, of the value of the goods The Government is anxious "that trafficking in licences should not be encouraged, and Is always ready to arrange for investigation to be made into any cases which may be brought to notice. This has been made clear on many occasions in the past, but to the best, of my knowledge in not one instance has information been supplied to the Customs Department in order that inquiries may be made. "I would suggest that if your informant’s statement was based on definite knowledge he should make the full facts known to the Customs Department in order that the matter might be investigated,” concluded Mr. Nash.