LICENSING YEAR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 20

LICENSING YEAR

Resentment At Extension

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 11

Tlie Government’s extension of the import licensing year was said today to have caused “extreme disappointment and resentment among the commercial community.”

A spokesman for the Bureau of Importers said: "The Government's action emphasises again the uselessness of the cumbersome import control regulations. It proves most conclusively that the present regulations cannot control imports and should be replaced immediately (if controls are necessary) by th>sfmpler and more efficient system of exchange control and tariff protection.” The bureau claims that two ministers. Messrs Marshall and Shand, "have publicly stated that this method is immeasurably superior to import control.” The spokesman denied that importers are piling up millions of pounds’ worth of goods they do not want. "How can this be possible when for the last three years at least, the inflexible system of import control was in force, effectively preventing merchants from piling up goods in their warehouses?” he asked.

“It would be fairer to state that the majority of business houses are husbanding their stocks, and not trading in licences issued to them.

“The bureau predicts that the Government's move will mean serious shortages of many consumer goods by early in 1962—and posslbljr sooner.”