IMPORT LICENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 January 1939, Page 6

IMPORT LICENCES

POSITION OF MASTERTON FIRM. AMERICAN WASHING MACHINES ELIMINATED. ■ A large Masterton firm ol radio, refrigerator and washing machine importers have received their import licences. In several lines the firm are the New Zealand wholesale distributors and as the result of the restrictions their business will be affected rather badly.

The importation of American and radios has been cut out completely. Last year the firm imported 700 or 800 radios, valued at about £4OOO. In their application for import licences they asked for £2OOO worth for the first six months of the year but got nothing. The firm are the New Zealand wholesale distributors for Australian kerosene refrigerators, of which they imported £2OOO worth during the second six months of last year. A licence has now been granted for the importation of £36 worth of refrigerators—about half the price of. one machine. The firm will probably appeal against .hat decision. The import of American refrigerators has been cut by 5J oer cent.

The complete elimination of licences for the import of American washing machines is the hardest blow struck at .he firm. No washing machines are manufactured in New Zealand and low only about 5 per cent, of the number formerly imported will be allowed into New Zealand. A serious short! igc is in prospect. "The restriction of the importation □f American radios will ruin our wholesale trade altogether,” stated the head of the firm this morning. "As it happens,” he added, "we have fairly large stocks on hand and at the moment American radios are at a premium. It is the question of Customs duties that puzzles me. Last year we paid up to £3OOO in Customs duties and now under the new licence system we will pay practically nothing at all."