CUSTOMS TAXATION MORE LIGHT ON LAST YEAR'S LAW.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1914, Page 8

CUSTOMS TAXATION MORE LIGHT ON LAST YEAR'S LAW.

Not long ago an Opposition journal put up some sensational headings over an article in which last year's amendment of the Customs Act was discussed The suggestion was that some trickery was practised, and that certain interests gained concessions. The subject is mentioned in the annual report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, but not with any special stress. There is no reference to the paper's remarks ; apparently the matter is included in the report as simply one of a number worth notice. "The Customs Act, 1913," the passage runs, "consolidated the Customs law in New Zealand, but at the same time a changft was Jnada in the method of assessing the value of imported goods on which ad valorem duties are to be charged. In its last annual report the council referred to the fact that the chamber had made representations to the Secretary of Customs that importers complain•ed of the imposition of percentage for assumed ca^h discount when assessing duties ad valorem on goods invoiced net. In many cases the Department assumed that a discount had been allowed and had added 2^ per cent, before assessing the duty. This anomaly has been remedied by the new Act. " Section 114 of the Customs Act. 1913,/ now alters the definition of 'fair market value,' which is now defined to be 'the fair market value of such goods when sold for cash in the ordinary courso of business for home consumption in tho principal markets of the country from which the goods are exported at the time when, they were so exported, with 10 per cent, added to such Fair market value.' " Suction 55 of tlio Customs Act, 1908, provided that tho value of the cask, case, or covering was to be included with tho value of goods bofore assessment of duty, but this is not now lequired. This reform will very much simplify tho preparation of Customs entries. "Your council has no doubt that these alterations in the method of assessing ad valorem duties will he .appreciated by importers, particularly now that the vexatious question, of cash discount has been removed."

Mr. E. J. Carey, secretary of the Wellington Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union, was re-elected to that position unopposed at, the annual meeting of tho union last night. Mr. Carey, in returning thanks, said it was the fifteenth occasion on which he had been elected secretary of the union unopposed, and he was especially gratified this time, because of tho l'acl that while nominations had been invited by circular over the wliolo membership of the union no opposition to his election had been olfered. This he took as a mark of the general confidence of members in his work. Mrs. Jveene (late matron for two and a linlf ycari of the Nuracs' Club, KeiiMng-kiri-bti'eef) iiolifk'-! ill <>;if advert ining column-* I hul she hus> opanud tv hoetel ut 22, KeM-lorrucc.