HARSH DECISION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 9

HARSH DECISION.

ORDERS FOR IMPORTS. CANCELLING OF LICENSES. Commenting on the decision of the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Customs, to terminate third and fourth period licenses on December 31, the president of the Bureau of Importers, Mr. Gainor Jackson, eaid to-day: "The Minister's decision is grossly unfair alike both to New Zealand importers and to British manufacturers, having regard to tine exigencies of the war position and the delays involved in delivery of goods from the United Kingdom as a result of the war. The position is made even worse because of Mr. Nash's decision that all goods licensed under third and fourth periods which do not arrive in New Zealand by December 31, are to be written off the fifth period licenses. "Large quantities of goods ordered under third and fourth period licenses have been lost through enemy action while being transported to New Zealand, and there is now insufficient time for replacements to be made so that these goods will arrive here before December j 31.; Had Mr. Nash made this-proviso to apply only to third period lice&ee it 1 would have been a reasonable' pro- | vision, but to apply it to the fourth period is iniquitous both to New Zealand importers and British maoufaci turers.

"The schedule for the fourth period was not issued until the middle of April, and fourth period licenses in most cases were not available to importers until July and August. If the orders were made up immediately the licenses were obtained, say, the middle of August, orders would not reach England until the end of September. Goods are now taking some two months to reach New Zealand from the United Kingdom. This would leave only four weeks for United Kingdom manufacturers to manufacture and ship manufactured goods. While thie period may be reasonable for raw materials, it is altogether inadequate for manufactured goods, which on the average take five to six months for shipment after orders are received. "It seems that with one stroke of the pen Mr. Xash will cancel out fully 50 per cent of the licenses for manufactured goods that he has issued for the fourth period. British manufacturers will have committed themselves for raw materials and the cost of manufacture for goods produced in most cases specially for New Zealand. To cancel out these licensee, as Mr. Xash is doing, iri anything but a friendly gesture to United Kingdom manufacturers when they are being so hard hit by tftie enemy. Mr. Nash cannot have understood the implications of his action on New Zealand's standing in the United Kingdom."