NO RIGHT OF APPEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21401, 27 January 1933, Page 12

NO RIGHT OF APPEAL

ITEMS IN THE TARIFF COMPLAINTS BY IMPORTERS The right of appeal by importers against tariff decisions of the Minister of Customs was urged in a letter forwarded to the Minister by Mr. A. M. Son - man, president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and confirmed yesterday at a meeting of the council of the chamber. In the absence of Mr. Seaman, Mr. M. Stewart presided. The letter was in reply to a communication from the Minister stating that he was not opposed to a test case in the Courts regarding tariff questions in which his decision was final, and if the decision were against the present method, the legislation could be altered. The letter stated that, from the number of complaints received by the chamber, there would appear to be very strong resentment against the steadily-increasing number of italicised items in the tariff on which the Minister's decision was final and beyond which there was no right of appeal.

"Unquestionably, importers should bo entitled, as a pure matter of British justico, to appeal to the Courts against all decisions of the Minister," the letter added. "With respect to a largo number of items in the tariff, however, this right is denied them. Several instances can be quoted where decisions of the Minister have been regarded by importers as oppressive. "In the two cases cited by me as examples, I would observe (1) that the recent decision to classify china and earthen ware vases, rosebowls and jardinieres as item 239 (fancy goods) at a higher rate of duty is contrary to the accepted practice of the Customs Department since tariffs were first levied in Now Zealand. These goods have always been classified as china earthenware, item 215. It is contended that, if Ihe articles are undeeorated, it is unreasonable to classify them as fancy goods. •»A local manufacturing stationer was prepared to put down a plant for the manufacture of serviettes, towels and other articles, had be been permitted to import crepe paper duty free. 'I his industry would undoubtedly have given employment to a number of people. Jhe decision of the department was that crepe paper was to bo classified as wrapping paper, an italicised item, and, there being no appeal, that determined tlio venture.