IMPORT SCHEDULES

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 8

IMPORT SCHEDULES

COMMENTS IN THE CITY LOCAL IMPORTERS' DIFFICULTIES : ty business men affected by tbe latest issue of the regulations were approached this morning for an opinion concerning the new and while importers generally fully realise that prevailing war conditions necessitate supervision in regard to overseas trade, they consider that there is not sufficient flexibility about the arrangements to meet a reasonable conduct of business. These business men had not, when interviewed, had time to go closely into the long list of articles set out in the schedule, but were willing to comment upon certain aspects of the Minister’s statement. Mr K. Wood, secretary of the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association, for instance, said that, in regard to the clause holding importers strictly to the December 31 date for.the third and fourth period licenses, it must be remembered that shipping facilities are at present most uncertain, so that, while importers may have the goods available for shipment, the opportunity for bringing them forward may not be found. Further, said Mr Wood, there was not only the difficulty in securing shipping space but, as the Minister had pointed out, the possibility of suppliers overseas being unable to promptly execute orders. . It certainly seemed a pity, too, Mr Wood added, that the Minister is still unable to meet the suggestion put forward by importers that a license should be granted which would cover a group of items rather than each license being for an individual tariff item. It was difficult to see why, provided an importer did not exceed the actual value allowed him, he should not be given the opportunity of importing goods which would give him the most favourable return. Such an arrangement could not possibly affect the sterling funds, which was, of coures, the crux of the whole position. Another prominent business man m the city agreed with this contention, stating that a group license would save an immense amount of time and trouble in compilation and registration, not only on the part of the importers concerned, but by the Government officials who have to handle the files. Tt would appear, he added, that the Government realised that, by continuing the piecemeal method, it saved a few pounds on an individual license hero and there where it has not been possible for the importer to utilise that license to the full. This, however, is regarded by the importer as neither a fair nor equitable attitude on the part of the Government; in short, it is not “ playing the game.” NOT AIDING WAR EFFORT. That the introduction olnstill further restrictions was not aiding Britain’s war effort was the contention forthcoming front another source. Mr Nash had stated that Britain did not want credits iu New Zealand, but against this statement were the repeated requests coming from leading British manufacturers that the extent of Dominion imports should be increased to the greatest degree possible. Nearly every mail brought appeals for an extension of, business in this regard, and all letters received stressed that an increase ill Britain’s exports was essential in her prosecution of the war, and that the manufacture of goods for export was taking precedence over goods* for the internal market. “We have,” said one business man, “ been very interested in some of the propositions put up to us, and only too ready to handle the goods referred to. We have made application to the Government, for a license to import, and the reply was that the local Customs office would look further into the matter. The next stage is that in the list of restrictions now published the particular articles which interested us most are totally prohibited.” The attitude so adopted seemed rather tvpical of New Zealand’s war effort—let Britain spend the money and wage the war for our security.

DISASTROUS EFFECTS ON TRADE. Rows of empty shelves in warehouses were pointed out by other wholesalers who remarked that they were empty only because of the import restrictions. All reserve stocks had been used up, and trading was being carried on only with the goods at command, and these, generally speaking, were quite inadequate. In some instances in the new schedule, it was admitted, there were relaxations which were welcomed, but the effect of these were counteracted by heavier restrictions in other directions. Stocks of certain lines, more or less essential in everyday life, had previously been cut out throughout the country, and the Government had had no alternative but to ease the restnctions there. It was impossible to coniment fully on the importance of the relaxations in the meantime, as most •of those concerned had not had time to go fully into the matter. The inroads made into reserve stocks were severe, and more than one business man commented on the probable serious ultimate effects on business generally. Trade could not be carried on if every six months the restrictions were made still more severe; already it had been substantially reduced, and profits drastically curtailed. Trade at present is being carried pn at the expense of the future,” said one man, “ and if this is continued it must result in businesses being forced to close down and staffs dismissed. This is most disappointing in view of the fact that the state of the sterling funds has been brought about by the Government’s own wasteful policy.