TARIFF REVISION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 14

TARIFF REVISION.

[ TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— lt occurs .to the writer that it would not be amiss to draw attention to the hardship under which New Zealand merchants labour by reason of the fact that drawback of duty is not obtainable on ships' stores. It is a well-known fact that vessels trading to New Zealand ports invariably either bring out sufficient stores to last them for the return as well as tha outward voyage, or, if they touch Australian ports, they arrange to take supplies aboard there. In any case the trade is lost to New Zealand merchants, and ia the aggregate the value is considerable. Since New Zealand merchants havo to assist in paying subsidies to many of these shipping companies, it is most desirable' that they should participate in supply of ships' requirements instead of having tha mortification of seeing the trade loet to tho colonies altogether, or, as au alternative, passed to merchants in the Commonwealth, simply because the drawback regulations there are on a common-sense and businesslike basis, being framed co as to assist traders, whilst hero the regulations, instead of assisting, are such as prohibit business progress. Thiß is n subjpet worthy tho attention of Parliament, and it ought to 'bo taken up by ihosa directly interested. — I am, etc., AN.OMALY.