AMENDMENTS TO CUSTOMS LAW

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 9, 5 October 1927, Page 10

AMENDMENTS TO CUSTOMS LAW

1 NEW MEASURE BEFORE HOUSE RESTRICTING EXCESSIVE CLEARANCES PROVISION FOR RETALIATORY TARIFFS Restriction of excessive bond clearances in anticipation of tariff increases and the right to impose retaliatory tariffs against foreign countries which erect tariff walls against the Dominion are outstanding in the pro> visions of the Customs Amend, meat Bill, read a first time in the House of Representatives last night. The Bill re-enacts the provisions relating to the imposition of the British preferential and the general tariff and safeguards existing trade agreements with Australia and South Africa. It also provides that the new tariff shall not' be applicable to the Cook Islands until a date to be fixed by the Gover-nor-General-in-Council. Excessive Bond Clearances. A clause of considerable interest to the mercantile community seeks to place some restriction on excessive clearances of goods in anticipation of an increase in the tariff. It is provided that where the Collector of Custom lias reason to believe that an alteration in the tariff is pending and that clearances of goods for home consumption are being-made in quantities in excess of what is reasonable, he may refuse to pass the Customs entries or in lieu of exercising this power require the importer to give him security to his satisfaction that any additional duty shall be paid. A further safeguard for the Customs revenue is provided bv another clause under this heading which gives the collector power to demand any increased duty within three months of the date of the coming into force of a new tariff in cases where he is of opinion that the clearances for home consumption have been in excess of what is reasonable. In all cases the right of appeal to the Minister of Customs is to be given and the Minister’s decision is to be final. Exercise of the right of appeal against a demand for increased duty, however, will carry with it the risk of the Minister increasing the amount asked for. Retaliatory Tariffs. Another important clause in the Bill seeks to give the Governor-General in Council the power to impose retaliatory tariffs against foreign countries which discriminate in their customs tariffs against New Zealand or which restrict wholly or partially the importation of goods from the Dominion. It is suggested that this power may also be exercised in cases in which it is considered that the duty of New Zealand goods in foreign countries is excessive. Where there is no trade agreement between New Zealand and any foreign country, power is sought to give the Governor-General in Council authority to levy duties up to 25 per cent, ad valorem. It is provided further that none of these powers ; s to be exercised if it will contravene the terms of any existing trade or other agreement which the Dominion has entered into. Use of Intermediate Tariff. Although the intermediate tariff which has hitherto existed has been done awav with, in the main there is provision in flic Bill for the imposition of such a tariff to meet Hie special case of goods which are intended for or are suitable for manufacturing, industrial, agricultural, scientific, therapeutic or similar purposes. It is provided that where such coeds are not economically produced in the British Dominions the Minister may admit them under the British preferential tariff or at a rate intermediate between the British preferential tariff and that specified in the general tariff. The Timber Industry. A clause of special concern to traders in timber gives the Minister the right to direct That the measurement of sawn dressed timber shall be artificially increased by adding not more than an eighth of an inch to its thickness, the additional thickness to be taken into account bv the Customs officers in measuring the timber to ascertain' the amount of duty which shall be paid.