IMPORT LICENCES

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1948, Page 7

IMPORT LICENCES

Press Assoclation)

Mr. Nash Replies To Pfea By Manufacturers

(Per

WELLINGTON, June 17. "Within a comparativefy short time a decision will be reached aa to how-far we can .jnstifiably issue further licences even though such issue may to a cert^in extent extend the dLifficulties of the United Kingdom,". said the Minister of Customs (Mr. Nash) tociay, replying to a statement issued for the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association by the presi-. dent (Mr. S. H. Hunter) last night. Mr. Nash said it was difiicult to ■ uiidorstand whut was desired by Mr. J Hunter. The Minister said, acting on representutions mad# by' Mr: Hunter earlier this vear, a i'uli inquiry'.'as to . the needs of the manufacturers in the sphere of raw inateriaJs had been uifdef- j takou and in niany cases the licences applied tor liad been granted. . After roi ei'ring lo ihe aijegations tliat Ihe (invernment was desi gn'edly adijpting a pulit-y of delay and pfocraslinatiou in oider to save expenditure oi Merling funds in 19f3, tho. M i nistef j said the facts had been coiitihUoUSiy ' puiilieised by the (.loveniinent-.and. per: , sunally expJaiued Lo Mr. Hunter. ' The New Zealand Governtnont, paptfhg--' accoid witli the expressed wish of the I'nited ivingdoin Goverument, .had/en'r : deawnired tiioroughout lJu> past yeai ,tb- : liinit tlie issue of liuport lk-iehee^* to ' cssential connnodities witli a'Vyiew_/tp * Keeping her imports within 'Clie,1 Vjft(utjr oi hor exports. '' Licences •td 'irxanu'fherr inrers iiave, however, \Vhere 'esseniiaiC innninodities aro being praduce'd. :/)feen'| issued and, in addition fol'lpU'ihg;T(iis- ? •■nssions witli tlie AHnister of ■ln'dp,sfi^^V4 and Conuueroe (lton.- A. H. « meyer), a eomplote survey ' Jias. ..liohVi ; made of subsequent applicatfons -bV ,'tJbar ■ manu i a- 1 nrers ior fuflher . supplies*' q.f * raw niaterials, and in many ca-sh's' extra » .iron.-oa iiave been granted. ' ■" " '■ ''The positiou is llial during the yeae :: Ihe value of licenros gi'anted" to manu- : tai-t nrers ior the iniportation pf mater- ' ials lias lieen roasonably adequate but , Ihat consideration was beufg givohrftt)-^ indi\ idual eiises in which it- wyis c'Jaini- 1 ed that suiiieient licences had not'.jbeen l granted lo tlie manufacturers- iebnpem.'if ed. I u tortunal ely in some iiasea. tihe ' ioi-al iiKimifacturer is not a-ble to- jn_qet" . tlie deniands tor goods usuaify tnab.it- • laetured in tlie Doniinion and , this/ lias i entailed the necessity to . i'SSUe- iieertces ; ■ oi imports froni the ITiited 'ixingd'otii ■ and oi hor countries of these types of goods. •' . '• -

i ne Government recogni'&es -the % alue lo the Doniinion of I he' exc'efl.ent services of the manui' ac turing "i'itd.a$nes and lias done and propbses to' ?do everything possible to assist; Tfiem legiiiniatel v "to expand prod.uction^.Wiihin Ihe Doniinion. Alr.; iiujilbr \ has all'eady been ail\ ised that 1'he* qU.e'Sfipii of the basis on whieh licencqs fqV/,19 ty will be issued is uuder . consid'era'tipn. and his organisation with otfier," rppfies? sonlalivo nodies will l>e consuited. beore tlie liual decision is reaehejil.' ! • ■ .' ,'Ji'egardiug ihe ,i.icen'ces fssped' 'it) '•'17 it appears on ihe evid'e'nce as sutjinntied to Mr. Hunter and othera 'of iiis eolleagues tliat tliere was some. OV-p'r-L iniporting >n that year in spite 'bf thb .-rilicisin that the licences issued Were insutiicieut. According to tlie iatehl elussilii-ation of advances pubjishe'd in ihe Keservo Daiik statisticaf- sUinmary Ior -!Iay, advances lo inanufacturefs ih March oi this year coinpaMd Wifh .Maich last year had iucfoased by soine*. Ihing like £b,.ST0,0(J0, and advances To inen-haiUs and wholesaiefs liad. increas-. cd i »v £7,22 1 ,000. The Governmexrt. at all liiues is uiJling to meet .inanihnt:Inrers and others to determine- ; liow nest tlie Itinds of tho Doniinion catr' be nsed during tlie prcsent c-ritieal p'e/ibd ior Ihe benelit of our own people, xvlli]© | ut Ihe same timo doing everyth]ng':ppssnile to assist the United Kingdom ciur« mg its present diflicuit positioli, and ih part lcular the shortage of oversea^ currency. "