CUSTOMS AND ART.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 258, 31 October 1928, Page 7

CUSTOMS AND ART.

U.S. Objection To Exhibition

On Ocean Liner.

QUESTION OF DUTIES

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 9 a.m.)

RUGBY, October 30.

Surprise is expressed in England at the action of the New York Customs authorities in forbidding an exhibition of pictures on board the Berengaria. In the saloon of the liner collections of works by British artists had bee l ! arranged for exhibition on the voyage and after the vessel arrived at New

The collection was organised by Sir Joseph Duveen, and other art experts, in order to bring the best work of the lesser-known British artists under the notice of collectors. The exhibition was opened by Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald at Southampton before the Berengaria ■ailed from England.

The action of the Customs authorities' in America was entirely unexpected. ] Arrangements had been made for a reception on board the steamer at which Sir Joseph Duveen and Sir Martin Conway were to have been the hosts. It is hoped that negotiations now proceeding may result in the removal of the difficulties which have arisen.

It was never intended that the works should be taken off the ship before being sold, and it was not anticipated that the question of import duties would # be raised so long as the works remained on board.

This is the first occasion on which a liner has carried with her a picture gallery of works for sale. The exhibition contains 304 works. Each has been Ericed by the artist and as Sir Joseph uveen has agreed to bear all the expenses the price of any work sold will be handed over to the artist without deduction.

PROTESTS OVERCOME.

EXHIBITION TO BE SHOWN.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.)

RUGBY, October 30.

The difficulties raised by the United Btates Customs authorities at New York regarding the proposed exhibition of pictures by British artists on board the Cunarder Berengaria have been satisfactorily overcome by the. sponsors of the exhibition, Sir Martin Conway and Sir Joseph Duveen, having fulfilled certain technical formalities at the request of the Customs authorities. A private ▼iew of the pictures was held yesterday and the public view is being held to-day aboard the liner, as was originally arranged.