NO LICENCES YET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1939, Page 4

NO LICENCES YET

POSITION OF MASTERTON FIRMS. -STILL IN THE DARK." Masterton retail firms are still awaiting replies to their applications for import licences. The head of a large importing radio and electrical firm stated today that they were being held up for several essential lines. Their applications were made a few days after the import regulations came in. but nothing had since been heard from the Customs Department. Actually, they had necessary supplies in store in Wellington, but they were unable to lift them because of the lack of licences. "We have written to the Customs Department several times," stated the head of the firm. "but we have not received a reply to our letters. We are all very much in the dark at the moment, but if half of what we hear is true I do not know what we will have left to sell." ■

‘■For the time being the restrictions are certainly retarding imports,’’ remarked the director of a Masterton motor firm. “I know of one firm in Wellington,” he added, “that has missed one shipment of cars. They had space booked, but had to let it drop because they had no licences.” He did not think that restrictions would be imposed on the importation- of English cars. At the same time, however, it hacl to be remembered that there was a large quantity of stock in nearly every line lying idle in New Zealand and the restrictions would certainly prevent over-importation. The general manager of a. retail firm said no trouble was being experienced in securing goods ordered before December 5. Concern, however, was felt for the future. Firms had been asked to supply copies of their orders for the first six months of last year, apparently for the purpose of comparison. Few licences had actually been granted in Wellington as yet but he had heard of some individual lines of' goods being cut down considerably.: i