LICENCE REFUSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 6

LICENCE REFUSED

ANTI-GAS EQUIPMENT CUSTOMS IMPOSES BAN NO REASON VOUCHSAFED (Per United Press Association) . AUCKLAND, Sept. 10. .Licences to import approximately 500 gas respirators, anti-gas clothing, and spare materials for the emergency precautions scheme of the Auckland City Council, have been refused an Auckland importer by the Customs Department. He made application for the licences on July 29, immediately on receiving an order from the purchasing officer of the council, and he then snecified the reasons for which the respirators and other goods were required. On the same day. the importer was advised by the Customs Department that the application had been submitted to the Comptroller of Customs in Wellington for consideration. Since then he has been advised by the department in Auckland that the application to import the goods had been considered and it was regretted that the licences could not be issued. No reason was given for the refusal to permit the importation. The respirators and clothing were required for traffic officers and actual A.R.P. workers. Prior to receiving the actual order from the Council, the importer communicated bv cable on several occasions with his principals in Britain and was assured by them that shipment would be made within three or four weeks of the confirmation of the order.

It is understood that the City Council has taken the matter up with the Government. The Emergency Precautions Committee is ordering a good deal of material, the use of some of which depends on there being respirators and gas-proof clothing available.