GAS MASKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1940, Page 3

GAS MASKS

IMPORT LICENCES REFUSED. AUCKLAND APPLICATION. (By Telegraph—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 for consider-' ation. Since then he has been advised by the department in Auckland that application to import goods had been considered and it was regretted that 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. Before receiving the actual order from the council the importer communicated by cable on several occasions with his principals in Britain and was assured by them that a shipment would be made within three or foui- weeks of 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.