Three Ships Beaten By Import Zero Hour

Chronicle (Levin), 1 March 1949, Page 6

Three Ships Beaten By Import Zero Hour

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AUCKLAND, *Feb. 28. , The Canadian steamer Tridale is expected to reach Auckland at noon tomorrow, J.2 hours too late- for her American cargo to enter New Zealand under the 1948 import control proI grarume. The licensing year ends at midnight tonight, and unless the ship was in territorial waters by that time, importers must either persuade the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, to relax the regulations or arrange for the Tridale 's cargo to be landed against 1949 lieences. The Tridale is one of three ships carrying goods imported on 1948 allocations, that are unable to reach Auckland in time to comply with licensing requirements. Like the Tridale, wkich was delayed a critieal 24 hours by bad weather, storms have forced the Port Dunedin to change her arrival date from Sunday until Wednesday. The freighter Mooncrest which has been held back by loading difficulties, is not due until March 10. The Tridale is bringing American goods from New York. The Port Dunedin left Liverpool with general cargo on January 21 and the Mooncrest is carrying both Australian and transhipment eargoes. Representations have been made to the Minister by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to waive the regulations for the beneiit of the three unpredictably delayed ships. In reply to the flrst telegram from the chamber, Mr. Nash said he regretted that no extensiou could be granted. No answer has yet been received to a further telegram in which the p'articular difficulties associated 'with the present ships were emphasised.