AGREEMENT DESIRED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 22 August 1930, Page 5

AGREEMENT DESIRED.

ME. CROFT'S COMMENT

REPLY TO SOUTHERN ALLEGATION,

The Canadian Trade Commissioner, Mr. C. M. Croft, pointed out to-day that the Customs Department must be satisfied that any imported car is at least 50 per cent British before the preferential rate of duty can be allowed. It must be British to this extent in labour, cost amd in the final processes of manufacture, as well as in raw material. Every invoice must bear on its back a certificate in a form which made it equal to an affidavit. He had never known a case in which any Canadian manufcaturer had knowingly made a false declaration of this kind. A New Zealand Customs representative was stationed in New York, with jurisdiction over the United States in Canada. This officer had frequently made visits to Canadian factories to make investigations and clear up any doubtful points which might arise. Mr. Croft added that to his own knowledge some makes of American cars contained very much more than the statutory 50 per cent of British value. Questioned regarding the general effect j of the tariff, Mr. Croft said naturally his Department was sorry- to see the duty on Canadian cars increased, particularly in view of the hope that tariff negotiations between Canada and New Zealand would shortly be undertaken. "We have had definite adyice from our Department that the Canadian Administration, under the Hon. R. B. Bennett, is most anxious to continue friendly relations with New Zealand, and to establish a tariff agreement that will assist both countries."