APPLICATION IS REFUSED

Southland Times, Issue 24228, 11 September 1940, Page 6

APPLICATION IS REFUSED

Licences To Import Gas Respirators NO REASON GIVEN FOR ACTION (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 10. Licences to import approximately 500 gas respirators, anti-gas clothing and spare materials for the emergency precautions scheme by 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 specified the reasons for which the respirators and other goods were required.

On the same day he was advised by the Customs Department that the application had been submitted to the Comptroller of Customs in Wellington (Mr E. D. Good) for consideration. Since thtjn 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 importation.

The respirators and clothing were required for traffic officers and actual air raid precaution workers. Before receiving the actual order from the council the importer communicated by cablegram on several occasions with his principals in Britain, and was assured by them that a shipment would be made within three or four weeks of confirmation of the order. It is understod that the City Council has taken up the matter 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.