AUSTRALIAN GOODS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN GOODS

INCREASE IN DUTIES. EQUALITY WITH BRITISH. MINISTER'S EXPLANATION. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Amendments have been made to the Customs tariff, increasing the duties payable on many imports from Australia. Their effect is to make the British preferential rates, where they have been increased since the last adjustment affecting Australia, applicable to goods from the Commonwealth. The Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, in an explanatory statement, says: — "The notices gazetted to-day respecting t duties on Australian goods are issued pursuant to the provisions of section 7 of the Customs Acts Amendment Act, 1932-33, and the corresponding provisions of the previous Acts. It will be remembered that under clause 2 of the existing tariff agreement between Australia and New Zealand, made in 1922, neither country can impose any Customs duty, or increase the rate of any Customs duty, on any goods the produce or manufacture of the other, except by mutual agreement, until after six months' notice.

"The 'Gazette' notifications have nothing to do with the provisional agreement arrived at recently with Senator the Hon. W. Massy Greene, which has since been approved by the Governments of both countries. The notice to the Australian Government respecting most of the alterations was made before the recent conference took place.

Revenue Prejudiced. "At present certain articles of Australian origin, including tobacco, cigarettes, spirits, apparel, furs and fur skins, fancy goods, sporting requisites and toilet preparations, are subject to lower rates of duty than similar goods produced in the United Kingdom. It is not the settled tariff policy of NewZealand that the duties on Australian products should be less than those on similar United Kingdom products, except in the case of special goods such as timber, fish, etc. "Another reason for giving the notice was that it was found that with respect to tobacco and cigarettes, the revenue was likely to be prejudiced owing to the importation of such goods from Australia at lower rates of duty than those levied on similar United Kingdom goods. "The larger list was ready for gazetting just before the Australian delegation arrived, but it was decided to hold over publication in the meantime.

Tobacco Affected on June i. "With the exception ;of tobacco, the duties on the items dealt with in the notices were altered before the present year. Advantage was taken of the presence of the Hon. W. Massy Greene to obtain the consent of the Australian Government to the increase of the duties on Commonwealth cut and plug tobacco to the rates provided for_in the Customs Acts Amendment Act, 1932-33, which was passed in February last. J-ne increased duties on such tobacco come into force on June 1, whereas the other alterations do not talce effect unti August 1 next. In both cases the modifications are subject to section 143 ot the Customs Act, 1013. "I regret that particulars cannot at present be supplied respecting the agreement recently made. The usual course is not to publish the details until legislation i 3 introduced into the Parlia ments of both countries.

ARTICLES AFFECTED. The following is the amended schedule of customs dues with respect to gocKls produced or manufactured in Australia, the old rates being shown in parentheses: — Tobacco, cut. n.e.l, 6/10 per lb (4/10). Pe Fru°its ) ' fresh,' viz., apricots, che " l( js, "■rapes medlars, nectarines, passion fruit, peaches, plums, quinces, tomatoes, 2d pc lb Cigarettes, n.e.1., 33/9 per 100° (25/6). Cigarettes, exceeding in weight 2&ib per WAY f/fj. items one to seven inclusive, 4:0/ PBr wfne anfkM containing more than 4CMper cent of proof spirit, 40/ per gallon * 3 S4«ences culinary or flavouring, containing more 0 than 40 per cent o£ proof spirit, h °Floo y r coverings, 6 viZv flnnr rues of wool or containing wool oi other nnimai fibre, having an area^ not exceeding CO scjutir© — P uSi-minr vml (20 per cent). Linoleum and fcimi coverings, floor • rugs, mats and matting, other kinds, 25 per cent ad val (20 per CC Furs and other similar skins articles made therefrom, viz., (1) Fur skins, ferunr sun-dried, 5 per cent ad al (free). <•-' Furs and other similar skins, dressed or prepared, but not made up in any waj, trimmings, 37i per cent ad v.il t-o per C °Bottles and jars, empty plain glass, not . or eround, except as specified, viz V) having a capacity exceeding one fluid ounce, 25 per cent ad val (-0 per Ce ch ) inaware earthenware and Porcelain ware X, 'bowls, cups, saucers, plates, inns dishes, teapots, and such similar oiffnles suited for table use as may be approved by the Minister, 20 per cent ad Ta Camera'covers and cases, 25 per cent ad Va Fanc°v go r odTand toys, sporting, gaming and athletic requisites,, nei inch.d ns S'a" a inca"S't«ioc?»'r«""! Photographic cameras, 20 per cent a Va precious" stones and semi-precious stones cut or uncut, if unmounted or unset, o per 06 Tobacco 11 pipes, pouches and cases, cigar and cigarettes holders and cases, ciparette papers, n.e.i., P er cent ad va (- P 06 Toilet preparations and_ perfumery, n.e.1., including perfumed oil, 35 per cent ad val (2 Motor 'vehicles, n.e.i., 10 per cent ad val flO per cent) ; and in cases where such motor vehicles are imported having bodies suited or designed for carrying passengers, an additional duty (herein referred to as "hndv- duty") of 111 per cent ad val (10 per cent) on any such vehicle (Inclusive of the body) ; provided that where the value fo? duty of any vehicle (inclusive of the hnrlvl exceeds £200, the body duty shall bo on £200 of such value. 11l per cent ad val (10 per cent); on the remainder of such value, Oi per cent ad val (o pel Cel pai"iitß. colours, varnishes and similar materials, viz., (4) preparations for removing paint and varnish, 20 per cent ad val (15 per cent). , Sashes, wooden, plain or glazed, -o per crnt ad val (20 per cent). 'Doors, wooden, plain or glazed, 30 per cent ad val, or' 4/ per door, whichever rate returns the higher duty (20 per cent). Gelatine, glue, isinglass and size, -0 pei cent ad val, or 2d per lb, whichever rate returns the liigher duty (20 per cent).