CLEARANCE OF GOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20621, 21 July 1930, Page 10

CLEARANCE OF GOODS.

CUSTOMS POINT SETTLED.

ENTRIES AT FIRST FORT.

[by telegraph. —srEciAT, nrroiiTEß.] ■WELLINGTON. Saturday.

The Government has decided to accede to the request of tho southern merchants that the collectors of customs should accept entries for goods as soon as tho importing ship arrives at tho first port of call in New Zealand. A statement to this effect was made to-day by tho Prime Minister, lion. G. • lorbes, who is also Minister of Customs. . "With reference to tho question concerning tho action of tlio collectors of customs in refusing to accept entries for goods until they arrive at their port of discharge from the importing ship," said Mr. Forbes, "the representations which have been mado have received very careful consideration. As I have already stated, no scheme has yet been devised which will be fair to all importers in New Zealand, but if alterations have to be mado in tlia tariff the Government desires that tho proceduro adopted by the Customs •Department should not bear harshly on the merchants in any particular district. "It is recognised that, owing to tho fact that overseas vessels generally make Auckland or Wellington their first port of call, the merchants in other centres may be prejudiced in competing with nofUern importers, and it has been decide to accede to the requests which have oeen mado on behalf of the southern merchants. Instructions will, therefore, be issued that the collectors of customs at all ports aro to accept entries for goods as soon as tho importing ship arrives at the first port of call. "The question as to the incidence of new duties is a matter for Parliament, but in tho event of tariff alterations being made Parliament will be asked to allow section 143 of tho Customs Act. 1913, to oporate. Under this section goods on overseas vessels which have arrived at the first port in New Zealand will bo entitled to be entered either at the old rate or at the new rate, whichever is more favourable to the importer.