IMPORT CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 2

IMPORT CONTROL

ISSUE OF LICENCES WAR NECESSITATES CHARGES WORKING OF CREDIT SCHEME (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Thursday The position in regard to import licences was the subject of a statement in the House of Representatives to-night by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. An urgent question asked by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition—Kaipara) in the afternoon drew attention to the difficulties of business men, and Mr Nash's reply provoked a charge by Mr Coates that the Minister was sidestepping the question. The subject was mentioned this afternoon also by Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent— Egmont). Compelled to Reorganise “In view of the war we are compelled to reorganise the whole procedure in regard to import licences for the January-June period next year,” said Mr Nash, when replying to the second reading debate on the Customs Acts Amendment Bill, tonight. Details had been worked out up to September 1 in connection with the licences for the first half of next year, Mr Nash said. The war had changed the whole picture and some alterations had to be made to see that the money available was spent to the best advantage. The work was in hand and the Government was keenly anxious to get the amount available for the third period out as soon as possible. The Minister would be glad to keep in touch with interested members. History of Arrangements The history of the arrangements made for export credits for New Zealand was traced briefly by Mr Nash. He said that as far as the £4,000,000 was concerned there had apparently been two delays. Originally there was one clause in the agreement that would have created a tremendous difficulty from an administrative point of view. “They wanted all payments made in chronological order as the goods were delivered,” he explained. On August 25 practically complete agreement was reached by means of a cablegram he sent from the boat on which he was returning to New Zealand. “I do not know what is the cause of any delay in the matter,” the Minister continued. “I do know that the other agreement made at the same time has been operating. We have spent something like £2,000,000 out of it.” Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Independent -—Egmont): From the £5,000,000? Mr Nash: Yes. The only suggestion the Minister could make for any delay was that the war had" made the demand for sterling so great that it had affected the Export Credits Department. The war, however, was the second delay, the first being caused by the clause he had mentioned. “I do not know why it is not working,” Mr Nash continued, when referring to information supplied to him by Mr Wilkinson. A cablegram had been sent to inquire into the position and he hoped to have an answer to-morrow. Defence Material The Minister emphatically denied that material for the defence of New Zealand had been held up because of the import restriction policy. On the contrary, there was a reserve of about £3,000,000 in London for defence and other needs. “Such a suggestion is totally incorrect,” Mr Nash said. “There is not a gun, a round of ammunition or a piece of equipment that has been delayed a minute because of the shortage of sterling funds. The difficulty has been to get delivery, and the first arangement I made in the United Kingdom was to provide £5,000,000 for defence purposes.” Mr J. Hargest (Opposition—Awarua): That was too late. Mr Nash: Not a minute too late. Not a single thing which could have come has failed to come and at present we have about £3,000,000 in reserve in the United Kingdom spe - cially earmarked for defence purposes and other things required by the Government. I think that answers any such suggestion.