IMPORTED GOODS
THE PRIORITY LIST
EXPLANATION BY SIR-JAMES ALLEN
Some information regarding the conditions under which goods for New Zealand leave the United Kingdom was given to a Dominion reporter yesterday by the Minister of Defence (Sir .Tames Alien), who as Acting-Prime Minister; conducted Fome correspondence on this subject (luring the absence of Mr. Mnssey. Sir James Allen said he had noticed a'statement made by a speaker at theProhibition deputation last week, reported as follows:—
We want to know if legitimate goods were kept out of the ships on the other side. . . . The answer
Sir James Allen mode wae that the ships which brought our men back were not now on our charter. They were owned by the English Government, and you pny so much per liwid for transport back to this country. That seemed to Sir James Allen to settle the question.
Sir .Tames Allen said it. was true that he had pointed out the ships were not on New Zealand charter, but it was not true that he had regarded this fact us settling the question raised in connection with •importations of whisky. When ho was informed thnt whisky was getting shipping space on ships coming to New Zealand, to the exclusion of other articles, he sent the following cablegram to Mr. Maesey, who was then in London:—
It has been represented to me that whisky is shipped from the United Kingdom to the exclusion of mare essential goods. The Customs here state'there is no priority list 'or goods shipped from the United' Kingdom, as it is understood that there' is more shipping space from Great Britain- than there are goods available for shipment. Will you' plpnec make inquiry and ask Shipping Controller to arrange priority for mo.re essential goods. It is futher stated that there is difficulty in securing permits to export essential goods, such as hardware, etc. Can the Shipping
Controller assist?
A communication on the same subject wns sent to the High ,who explained in reply the reason for ,cne particular shipment of whisky. The ship loaded in shallow wafer at a northern British port under difficult conditions, and was sent away by the Imperial authoritiesVearlior than had been expected, without any loading date being fix»d. This prevented the assembly of long-dis-tance railway cargo, and the whisky hap. pened to be handy. But even on this occasion the High Commissioner succeeded in shipping salt and chemicals to meet Ihe New Zealand Government's wishes.
Sir James Allen received n reply from the Prime Minister, dated July 18, to the effect that the Imperial authorities had informed him that if the New Zealand Government would forward a priority list they would request the shipping companies to adhere to it as far as possible in booking cargo. Mr. Massey asked for a list, and said that he would send it to the Shipping Controller. The following list of goods, which the New _ Ze alalid Government desired'to have priority in shipment from the United Kingdom, was prepared accordingly and cabled on July 27 last:- ' ' . ..
Agricultural seeds, salt, chemicals and drugs, sheep dip, metals, metnl goods, machinery, electrical appliances, engine surgical and scientific instriiments. paper, cardboard, stationery, boolis, bookbinders' materials, paper-hangings, printing, materials, textile piece-goods, ap- ' parel, bat-makers' materials, carpots, floorcloth, sewing cottons and silks,' oils, paints, var- ' nish, hrushware, brushmakers' goods and materials, indiarubber hose and tubing, china-ware, earthenware, glass and glassware, soap, leather . and leather goods. '
"I understand that the Shipping' Controller acts upon this advice," added Sir James Allen. "There may be exceptional cases where, owing to the port of departure and the necessity of getting ships away speedily,- the shipping authorities may not be in a position to carry out the wishes of the New Zealand Government with regard to the priority list, but we have done all that we can from this end to preference being given in shipment to essential goods.'
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 29, 29 October 1918, Page 6
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647IMPORTED GOODS Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 29, 29 October 1918, Page 6
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