IMPORT LICENSES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 256, 26 September 1940, Page 6

IMPORT LICENSES

FIFTH PERIOD QUOTA

BUSINESSMEN’S VIEWS

While various points of the schedule covering import licenses lor the niti period, were commended, the gener opinion expressed by city businessmen to-day to a ‘ ‘Manawatu Standard reporter was one of disappointment. .Relaxation in certain directions bad been expected, but this had not bee brought about. . ~ The issue of the licenses ior the fifth, period for a complete year was termed an aid to importers in J“ eI F clerical work, although it was pointed out in one case that the granting or the licenses for the fifth period, °',N alter the arrival of goods for tnc fourth period (up to the end of this year) would cancel out a certain amount of seasonal buying which might have been undertaken by such firms as drapers. It was pointed out also that in all probability importers would make application for the limit of their licenses at the beginning of the period, preferring to have _ the goods in stock in New Zealand, these to be rationed in some cases, possibly to retail houses, in order to keep as even a flow as possible throughout the year. The schedule, however, was not tho complete picture, for no announcement had yet been made as to the availability of sterling exchange. It was explained that for the fourth period sterling exchange was made available to meet commitments on goods as they arrived in New Zealand. It was expected that such action would bo followed also for the fifth period, but it was emphasised also that an early announcement as to the position of sterling exchange would be appreciated by importers. In regard to the requirements of wholesale grocery and liquor merchants which will affect to a large degree the whole of the grocery trade, there has been little change, one merchant said. One item of particular interest to housewives is that the importation of clothes pegs has been totally stopped and certain lines of salt, in lots of under 51b, will later go off tho market here. General condemnation _ was expressed of the proviso that if goods coming within the third or fourth period licenses have not arrived by the beginning of the fifth period, the arrival of these goods there will cancel out a corresponding amount of the same goods in the fifth period. One leading business man termed this as “absolutely iniquitous,” pointing out that this could amount, in effect, to a reduction of the import licenses of the fourth and fifth periods. In several quarters it was said that New Zealand had no control over the shipping of goods at the present time, and if misfortune overtook a shipment and the replacement did not arrive before the specified time the importer was forced to go without a similar amount in the fifth period. MORE CONTROL FORESEEN. Further control by • the Government was foreseen in the provision that for certain lines the consent of the Internal Marketing Department had to he received before importation could be mads. The department knew of the country’s stocks from returns which had to be made to it, and therefore it would act possibly as a further restricting agency. In crockery and hardware there had been an easing of restrictions in.some directions, it was. explained, and in these businesses the spreading of the import licenses over the whole year would be of assistance. In toys, however, other importers face the difficulty that importations of toys for this year and also for next year have been prohibited. It was hoped that there w’ould be relaxations in the importation of dolls and certain mechanical toys which cannot be manufactured in this country. Even a 15 per cent, allowance of the 1938 importations would have assisted the position materially, for importers would have been able to make a reasonable supply available. “KEEP THE FLAG FLYING.”

A member of one of the' leading business firms showed the reporter a cablegram it liad received from its London buying agency, which stated: “Building severely damaged. All records and personnel safe. Carrying on in temporary premises. Forward cables and mail as usual. Relying on your full support to help to keep the flag flving.”

While the actual import restrictions in this firm’s case were much the same as for the last period, the importations allowed were quite unworkable for the requirements of the business. As an instance, an order had been placed for one class of goods to the extent of £BOO. and the amount allowed under the next importing period was £I7OO. Ift was questionable liow .much of the £BOO order would arrive before December, and so the actual value of the goods to be imported next year was still “in the air.” Stocks were continually dwindling and because of this depletion tlie imports would be but only one-tenth of what would be ordered under normal circumstances. With all the will in the world, it was explained, no further aid to the London office could be given than the restrictions would allow, and accordingly advice had been sent to the London buyers of the position.