TOURISTS' CARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1934, Page 8

TOURISTS' CARS.

DOMINION AND AUSTRALIA. CUSTOMS DUTY DEPOSITS. Reference was made by Mr. G. W. Hutchison, secretary, at a meeting. of the council of the Automobile Association last evening to the. fact that New Zealand tourists cannot land their cars in Sydney without paying customs duty. He said he had noticed in the "Star" that night that Senator Foil, Government Whip in the Federal Parliament, had stated that he had to sign endless papers on entering New Zealand. "The same thing happens when New Zealanders want to take their motor cars to Australia," said Mr. Hutchison. "Australia is about the only country in the world to which there cannot be issued in Auckland a passport enabling a member of an automobile association taking a car overseas to secure temporary entry of his car into another country without customs duty deposit. In Australia, section 162 of the Customs Act, 1901, lays down that a deposit is required for the entry of a motor vehicle into New South Wales. A bond, or a guarantee is not acceptable, but a refund is made to the owner at the port of exportation if the car is taken out within six months."

Mr. Hutchison said that under, an arrangement with the National Roads and Motorists' Association of New South Wales, the Automobile Association could secure entry for the cars of accredited Australian tourists without paying deposits, by furnishing a bond to r the local Customs Department.. The, bond was released on the re-export of the car. .' , ... .. . , - 7 • " "When I was in Australia some years ago," said Mr. H. J. Butcher, "the payment of duty into New South Wales allowed the car to be taken to Victoria, but nowhere else." On the suggestion of Mr. Hutchison, it was decided to write to Hon. F. H. Stewart, Federal Minister of Commerce, and Sir Thomas Henley, a-member of the New South Wales Legislative assembly and obtain particulars as to the position. Both men, when in Auckland recently, promised to look, into the matter with a view to making an adjustment.