BUSINESSMEN AND IMPORT CONTROL MATTERS

Chronicle (Levin), 10 April 1946, Page 2

BUSINESSMEN AND IMPORT CONTROL MATTERS

-Prets Association

MINISTER QUESTIONED

By T elegrayh-

WELLINGTON, April 9. The Assockited Cliaiubers of Oom-men-e has written to Hon. Walter Nash asldng for further iufornnition on import eoutrol matters. Referring to the klinistev's stateiuent in a letter to the Associated Chambers that it \va§ doubtful whether it would be praetieable to have the import sehedule available by •June of each year, the letter asks if the ilinister will state whv it ia not praetieable. In view of the Minister's stateiuent that in many eases goods' and materials are quantitively very mueh below tiiose of 1939, due to increased costs, freight rates and charges. it asks if he can sustain his argument that, ' ' in deterinining alloeations for licences, account is taken, intcr alia, of increases in costs since the basic pcriod. "

The letter continues: "We tliank you for your assurance that any sug gestions for the grouping of tariff items will receive consideration. We shall be conferring with the Opmptrol )er of Customs again on tliisrsubject in due course. You state it is not possible to remove from import control essen tial goods in short supply. We consider it is not only possible, but also praetieable, and we would be glad to learn from you the reasons .foT your disagreement. "You state that it is not proposed to adopt our suggestion for the setting up of a special counnittee, or commission to advise on import control iiiatters. Again mav we ask the reason vvhy the Governnrent does not propose to. act ? Surely it is not contended that the Government, almost completoly freed as it is now from wai'time emhrg eiicies a'ffecting supplies, prograiuming and collaboration with overseas Governmeuts in their priorities aiid oxport licensing, is better equipp'cd than people trained in trade and commerce to deal with the liuge and complex buai ness of importatioii? VVre cousider that a very good easfe indeed needs to l>e made out to establish that any, Government is capalde of handling import con trol witliout at least the aQvisory services of men who have ' much more training, experience and judgmeut in importing matters than can fairly.be expected of public officers. We trust that we may be f'avoured with sa more c'omplete statement on the above points than you have ao far afforded us."