Simplifying Customs Taxes

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 181, 3 August 1938, Page 6

Simplifying Customs Taxes

SUPPORT TOR PROPOSALS

Recommendations from the Auckland Chamber dealing with the simplification •f the form of Customs entries were contained in a circular from the Associated Chambers received by the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce last evening. It was maintained that the difficulties regarding the present

preparation of Customs entries did not lie with the form itself, but were inherent in the nature of the tariff, particularly the numerous amendments and exemptions. It was suggested: 1. That, with a view to the general simplification of arithmetical processes, all rates of ad valorem duties should be expressed in simple percentages or fractions of the value.

2. That the present terms 11 primage 5 ’ and * 4 surtax'* tended to confusion and should be discontinued. Where goods were free of duty and primage they should be shown as “free" and where subject to surtax that amount should be included in the duty already payable. Those subject to primage should be shown as “3 per cent.” 3. Making the tariff more consistent by applying the same duty to all goods of any particular class. 4. Obviating complications by allowing all goods from most favoured nations to enjoy beneficial duty. 5. Removing sales tax from all •‘free 7 * items on tho tariff and removing the 3 per cent, at present known as primage oa all so-called free items not subject to sales tax. The points in favour of the examples illustrating the value of the suggestions put forward were enumerated in detail.

Mr. W. M. Sexton: That bears out a discussion we had in committee quite recently. Mr. Cunningham instanced a case where a line of gloves was subject to five different taxes. Mr. H. L. Cunningham: I agree with Mr. Sexton. Mr. A. K. Henderson said he thought some simplification was necessary. It was decided to support the Auckland move for a revision of procedure.