EFFECT OF ALTERATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 197, 20 August 1900, Page 8

EFFECT OF ALTERATIONS.

Notices were forwarded on Saturday to all collectors of customs in the colony stating that from that date the duty on goods would be as mentioned in the Budget. The reductions took place at one&, with the result that clearances from bond were much heavier than usual on Saturday. As usual when the tariff is altered individual cases exist where loss is sustained owing to goods held in stock upon which duty has been paid. .One firm alone lose to the extent of £SOO to £1000 through the alterations. There are also cases where on Thursday large parcels of goods were cleared and duty paid upon them, which could have been passed free on Saturday. Apparently the reduction will not in any way decrease the cost of collecting of duties generally, as goods will require to be examined all the same to see whether or not they are dutiable, and in respect to tea the labour will be increased, as it will be necessary now to examine each package to see whether the tea is in bulk or in packets, owing to the different rate charged. The reduction of from 40 per cent, to 15 per cent, on patent medicines has struck some importers rather severely, entailing as it does a los 3of 25 per cent, on all stock cleared from bond. It will also affect local firms manufacturing other patent medicines. Of course, no rebate is made by the Customs Department in cases where duty has been paid; but until the Bill is passed by the House a special account is kept to regulate matters by when the tariff is finally agreed upon.