IMPORT LICENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 102, 27 October 1945, Page 8

IMPORT LICENCES

SCHEDULES FOR 1946

CONCERN OVER DELAY

A great many importers, manufacturers, and traders generally were anxious to know when the 1946 import schedules would be issued, said Mr. C. M. Bowden (National, Wellington West) in the Imprest Supply Bill debate in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The 1945 import licences had been extended until June 30 next, he said, but there was a stipulation that orders must be placed and accepted not later than November 1 —next Thursday. It was practically impossible to get orders away to Britain and receive acceptance by then, and the position now was that ordering was virtually at a' standstill. It could not be undertaken until importers knew what was to be done under the 1946 licences.

Mr. Bowden said he was not approaching the question critically, but was merely seeking information from the Minister of Customs (Mr. Nash). It was. known that there was a drive for increased exports from the United Kingdom and production there was stepping up; but there was a steady demand for goods from all over the world, and if goods now being offered to New Zealand could not be accepted they might be sold elsewhere, with a resultant shortage in the Dominion.

The Customs Department and the officers of the Department of Industries and Commerce had been very careful to meet cases of urgent requirements, particularly from manufacturers, and he knew that some 1946 licences had already been issued.

SOME DIFFICULTIES

He appreciated the fact that the Minister was in the middle of certain negotiations—with the American authorities over lend-lease goods, for instance—and that' there was a very large accumulation of goods in the hands of the War Assets Realisation Board, but there was a position to be investigated. He fully appreciated that there were some difficulties in the way, but nevertheless traders and importers had been waiting patiently for a schedule which was usually issued at the end of August. It was their reasonable request that there should be no further delay in the issue of import schedules for 1946.

Mr. Nash replied that the schedules were in the hands of the- printer, but it was not possible at the moment to say how long it would be before they were published. He hoped they would be available within a reasonably short time.;