CUSTOMS REVENUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1928, Page 17

CUSTOMS REVENUE.

FURTHER FAIXING OFF. FOR QUARTER AND MONTH. Despite the fact that durinp the month of March £33,504 was collected in tyre and petrol tax, the Customs dues at the port of Auckland for the month were £7453 less than in March of last year. The figures for the quarter also show a falling off. The total revenue collected in March, 1927, was £230,830, as compared with £223,377 for the month just ended. The latter figure includes Customs dues, £170,782, beer duty £10,001, levy on motor spiritß £28,453, and on tyres £5051. The falling off in the returns no doubt reflects a slackness of trade, but, on the other hand, tends to produce a more favourable trade balance, in view of the fact that exports continue in a large volume. The shrinkage is greater than it was last month, when it was only $895 less than in February of 1927. The following comparative figures for the first quarter of 1928, compared with the corresponding period of 1927, are of interest:— Customs. 1628. 1927. January ... £109,060 £178,573 February,... C2OI.RIC £202,518 March £ 170,782 £221,231 £ 550,458 £602,322 Beer duty collected during March amounted to £10,091, compared with £12,195 last month. Dues from petrol and tyres—a new levy—have doubled themselves as compared with the previous month. Figures in this connection are as follows, Febrvary's figures being given in parentheses:—Spirits £28,453 ( £11,963) and tyres £5051 ( £330).