TARIFF RECIPROCITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18235, 31 October 1922, Page 6

TARIFF RECIPROCITY.

TREATY WITH SOUTH AFRICA.

WINE AND TOBACCO.

INCREASE IN DUTIES. [I>V TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. In the House of Representatives to-day, the Hon. W Downie Stewart, as Minister for Customs, brought down a resolution ratifying the reciprocal arrangement as to customs duties with the Union of South Africa in terms of section 10 of the Customs Amendment Act, 1921. The Minister explained that by the N*w Zealand and South African Customs Duties Reciprocity Act, 1906. provision was made for customs reciprocity between New' Zealand and South Africa. An Order-in-Council to give effect to the agreement entered into was accordingly isr-ued on January 7, 1907, which was subsequently -amended by Order-in-Council of March 31, 1909. In all subsequent alterations of the tariff operation these Cvders-in-Coun-il had been specifically preserved. . , , _ By an Order-in-Coaneil, issued under the Customs Amendment Act, 1921, ?n July 3, 1922, the aforesaid Orders-in-Council were revoked as from August 1, 1922, for the purpose of affording an opportunity of reviewing the rates of duty on wine and tobacco. The revocation of these Orders-in-Council placed the South African produce on the British preferential tariff, and it was now desired to revert to the agreement, save so far as it related to wine and tobacco. It was proposed to increase the duty on. wine from 2s a gallon to 3s 6d a gallon (in the case of wines other than sparkling), and from 5s a gallon to 9s 6d a gallon in the case of sparkling wines. It was not proposed to restore the former concession on tobacco, which will in future pay the British preferential tariff rate (in lieu of 2s 6d alb.). The concessions granted in respect ot New Zealand produce * entering south Africa had not been revoked. The resolution was as follows: lnat the existing tariff be suspended as from August 1, 1922, in so far as it relates to the goods referred to in the schedule hereto (being goods the produce or manufacture of the Union of South Africa) and that in lieu thereof such goods shall, as from August 1, 1922, be subject to the duties and exemptions from duty specified in that schedule." _ .. The schedule is as follows :—Feathers, 15 per cent, ad valorem ; fish, lid a lb.; fruits (dried), free; fruits (green), free; maize. 6d a cental; sugar, free ; tea, Id a lb.; wine (other than sparkling). 3s 6d a gallon; wine (sparkling), 9s 6d a gallon; all other goods, except spirits and tobacco, 3 per cent, less than the duty which would otherwise be payable. The resolution was agreed to on the voices.