THE REVISED TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1927, Page 4

THE REVISED TARIFF

DREDGING Af ACII.IXERY DUTY. With respect to the representations made regarding the duty on dredging machinery under the revised Customs tariff, Air Soddon, ALP.. has received the following definite statement from the Alinister of Customs (Hon IV. Downie fitewart) respecting the interpretation of the untended Customs Act.:—. “I have to acknowledge receipt < f your letter of the 14th instant forwarding one dated the 12th inst. addressed to yourself b.v the County Clerk of the Westland County Council. “In reply J have to inform you that the alteration with respect to the duty on dredging machinery is as follows: “Dredging machinery under the J 1921 Tariff was subject to 10 per cent I ad valorem if of British origin and J 15 per cent ad valorem if of foreign origin. It (is now proposed that dredging machinery which cannot ho A made economically in New Zealand shall bo admitted f('ee under the British Preferential Tariff, and subject to 20 per (•('lit ad valorem under the General Tariff. “.Section II of the Customs Amendment Bill provides as follows: I “If with respect to any goods or to any class of goods suitable or intended for use for manufacturing, industrial, agricultural, scientific, therapeutic, or similar purposes, and being the produce or manufacture of a country not forming part of the British Dominions, the Alinister is satisfied that goods of n like kind are not economically produced or manufactured in the British DominI ions, he may in his discretion direct | that such goods or that any goods of I such class he admitted as if they were the produce or manufacture of some part of the British Dominions, or, in the alternative, that they be admitted at a rate of duty intermediate between the rate specified in the British Preferential Tariff and the rate specified in the General Tariff.” ‘‘AVlien these provisions are on the Statute Book they will enable dredging machinery even of foreign manufacture to lie admitted free of duty provided that such machinery is of a class that is not economically made in any part of tTie British Empire. “It is expected that when the Tariff is in operation it will he found that its administration will he satisfactory to the mining interests.”