IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 16

IMPORTERS AND SHIPPERS

OTAGO ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago .Importers and Shippers’ Association was held on Tuesday evening, when there were present:—• Messrs S. F. Ahum (president), A. do Beer, J. H. Edmond, J. K. Macassey, J. 1). MTvechnie, H. L. Smith, and J. C. H. Somerville. A reply was received from the Comptroller of Customs, Wellington, to an inquiry put forward by the importers’ Federation at the request of tne local association asking when the department proposed to begin the issue of import licenses for the first six months of 1940. The reply was that, while an endeavour would be made to reach a decision on the point as early as possible, it was regretted that the actual date had not yet been fixed.—General regret and disappointment were expressed at this information, in view of the fact that in some cases it took from six to eight mouths, from the time of giving the order, before the goods could he expected to arrive in New Zealand. It was pointed out that in view of the extra difficulties that must arise on account of the war, it was more than ever necessary' that orders should go forward at the earliest possible moment.

A further suggestion was made that, in view of the sharp rise to bo expected in the value of imported goods and the inevitable still further increased cost as the result of the recent sharp rise in all freights representations should he made to the Government for some modification of the present restrictions in the granting of licenses generally.—lt was decided to ask the federation to move in this direction. Another matter that had been referred to the federation was that information had been received from local importers that, whereas their import licenses for the first period—j.c.. Jann-ary-.June, 1939—were being called in. even if they had not been availed of to the full amount granted, yet in the North Island under similar "conditions the time in which to complete such importations had been extended. A reply was received that where such extension had been granted proof had first been required that it had been impossible to obtain delivery within the period and in other instances that the goods were essential for manufacturing purposes.—While this explanation was satisfactory' so far as it went, members still considered from their personal knowledge that in some instances facilities denied to local importers had under similar conditions been granted to importers in the north. It was felt therefore that members of the association should ever be on the alert to see that their interests were not prejudiced in this matter.