MANY HARDSHIPS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20715, 27 January 1939, Page 8

MANY HARDSHIPS

IMPORT POLICY EFFECTS BUBINEBB DISLOCATED UNCERTAINTY OVER FUTURE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLIXGTON, Thursday Critical reference to the Government’s exchange control policy was made by Mr M. S. Myers, of Dunedin, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, preceding Mr Nash’s reply to the 33 written questions presented to him at the importers’ conference this morning. Explaining his reason for refraining from comment on the measures up to the present, Mr Myers said it had appeared to him better to wait until the policy had been fully expounded by Mr Nash and the effects better gauged. The present conference, however, was not the place for him as president of the Associated Chambers to make a statement. Nevertheless, he felt, as chairman of the meeting, he might be permitted to make a few remarks on the situation. From the evidence submitted at the conference it seemed incredible that the Government could have fully realised the hardships that would result from the policy nor it seemed to him fully appreciated the dislocation of the country’s business so far brought about by the plan. He liad no hesitation in saying that the conference made it apparent that the consumers of New Zealand in the next few months would have a much clearer understanding of the arbitrary directing of what would otnerwise ha*.c been their individual freedom in exercising of their purchasing power. “All Are Importers” The view that the importers were a distinct and separate class in the community was erroneous. All New Zealanders either directly or indirectly were importers in the widest sense. The plan, therefore, seemed to be even if successful dependent on the creating of injustice to the trade and commerce of the country and, of course, the individuals engaged therein. He was sure the Minister realised the present state of uncertainty could not be allowed to continue for it would be neither fair nor just to the firms concerned nor their employees to be kept overlong in uncertainty as to the future. A survey in one centre showed that eight businesses would be obliged to close if the restrictions were permanent and in such event 17 62 employees must he dismissed. The attitude of the importers seemed to to be deserving of the greatest praise ami worthy of the greatest eonsideration.

FURTHER PERMITS SECOND SIX MONTHS DEALING WITH APPLICATIONS (Special to Times) WELLINGTON. Thursday In addition to answering the 33 prepared questions submitted to him at the importers’ conference to-day, Mr Nash answered a number of verbal questions. He was asked if he could give the conference any idea when importers might be able to apply for permits to import during the second six months of the year. “Applications can go in now,” replied The Minister. “It is a case of their being' dealt with.” He did not tiiink it would be possible lo deal with them for some little i.me, but not a long time. In the cose uf essential goods, he suggested it might be within a week or 10 days. With regard to other goods, it might take a month or more. Mr W. A. Boucher, president of the Bureau of Importers, Auckland, asked the Minister If he would tell the conference how the appeals were dealt with, by whom, and what delay there would be before they were answered. Mr Nash said he thought that hundreds of appeals had been dealt with already. Where there was a possibility "of a general principle being adopted, there might be a little delay. Where there was an individual case alone, that dealt with one commodity, he would try to expedite consideration of it almost at once.