IMPORT LICENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1939, Page 9

IMPORT LICENCES

GOODS FOR SECOND PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. STATEMENT BY-MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Reference to the issue of import licences for goods during the second sixmonth period as defined in the regulations was made yesterday by the Minister of Customs, the Hon W. Nash. He said that some licences had been issued for this period, though only in a very few special cases had this been done. “There are cases where it has been necessary to issue licences for the second period where the effect of the regulations on agents and travellers now taking orders is considered,” said Mr Nash, “but it has been done only in special cases to help the men who are booking orders for goods for delivery in the second period.” The Minister said that it would be some time next month before the Government determined any general policy for the second period. Commenting on the fact that there had been some relaxation of the restrictions on books, Mr Nash said that the idea behind , the importation of reading was to place no barrier between the public and what they wanted read. “Bad” books, of course, were still restricted.

“Licences are required for everything except books and medicine,” said the Minister, “but we may have to give some thought to the importation of supplies of essential goods. That is being considered now.”