IMPORTS FROM AMERICA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23970, 10 June 1943, Page 6

IMPORTS FROM AMERICA

INFORMATION ON REQUIREMENTS MINISTER OUTLINES NEW PROCEDURE The Minister of Supply and Munitions (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) yesterday gave details of an important development affecting all New Zealand importers concerned in importing goods from the United States, and outlined procedure whereby the Ministry of Suppiy will collect and co-ordin-ate programme information required by the United States authorities and the various Combined Boards in Washington. The procedure does not change existing methods of procurement by New Zealand or affect any procedure connected with the import licensing system. “Following my statement of April 6,” said the Minister, “which explained to manufacturers and importers the immediate effects of the controlled materials plan upon procurement of supplies, the Government has now been advised that export release of goods from jhe United States will in the future be dependent upon the prior establishment in Washington of forv/ard programme information covering all our needs, irrespective of whether procurement is carried out in terms of lend-lease. Government purchase, or private ordering. New Licensing System “This situation has arisen from the adoption by the War Production Board and the Board of Economic Warfare in Washington of a new export programme licensing system which will replace previous export release certificates in various forms, including the recently extended general licence privileges granted New Zealand. The adoption of this system makes it imperative for steps to be taken immediately in New Zealand to ensure that every single requirement from the United States is included in the overall programme submitted to Washington, with the possible exception of a small category for unprogrammed noncritical Hems. “The position now is that manufacturers in the United States cannot schedule orders for production until after receipt of a manufacturing priority and the application for a priority cannot be lodged with the War Production Board unless there is sufficient provision in New Zealand programmes for the issuance of an export licence. This means that non-inclu-sion of items in the programme will preclude either manufacture of the goods required or the issue of an export release certificate. The main concern of all importers, therefore, is to see that their importations, whether now on order or to be ordered, are adequately covered, and to enable such importations to be taken care of, the following procedure has been instituted through the Ministry of Supply for the benefit of importers. It should be carefully noted that this procedure applies only to the commodities specified in a printed list which will be made available together with programme forms in the manner detailed below. This arises from the fact that programming is already under way for many commodities either through trade organisations or some other procedure with which importers are already acquainted. “Programme forms have been designed and are available together with a printed commodity list and explanatory statement at the offices of Collectors of Customs throughout New Zealand, also at the post offices at Thames and Hamilton. Limited supplies will also be available through, the offices of the Manufacturers’ Federation, Chambers of Commerce. Bureau of Importers, and district offices of the Department of Industries and Commerce. “All holders of import licences or their agents or those who have placed orders through the Government should complete these forms and post to the Ministry of Supply not lator than Monday, June 21, 1943. “The receipt of completed application forms will be acknowledged by the Ministry. “Speedy Compliance Essential” “It is imperative,’’ said the Minister, “that the programme information should be in the hands of ..the' Ministry not later than the datft nominated, as already the new programme licence system applies to most of the commodities required by this country from the United States, and whilst I appreciate the extra burden thrust on importers generally by’ this fresh demand, I know it will be realised that the procedure is rendered necessary only by overseas conditions related directly to war emergency measures. It has been clearly intimated by the overseas authorities that speedy compliance with this request is essential not only to ensure that New Zealand is adequately covered for essential requirements, but also to ensure that production may be planned in the best interests of the United Nations’ war effort. I know that this intimation will be sufficient inducement to the New Zealand importers to co-operate fully in the scheme.”