A DEPUTATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4459, 28 August 1889, Page 4

A DEPUTATION.

(by telegraph.) Wellixgtox, August 27. A deputation representing the Chambers of Commerce of the colony waited on the Premier to-day with reference to the circular recently issued by the Castoma Department, which they consider to be vexatious and unjust. The particular clause to which exception wa3 taken was that insisting on a fine being paid io where mistakes or errors ccsurred in clearing goods. The deputation thought the authority now held by Ctl'ectora of Customs was sufficient to meet such cases. Stress was laid on the great difiiculty of Interpreting the tariff, which one speaker Bald caused more troubio than any he had met with in an experience of 35 years. The Premier said he could not allow five or six different men to interpret the tariff Merchants took no notice of decisions, bnt wonld go on as they had been accustomed to. Whenever an error occurred it was always attributed to an unfortunate mistake. He promised, however, to cirefully consider the circular with a view to remove any ambiguity which appeared to have caused Blarm that some farther departure was about to be made. Some amusement wbs caused by the intrusion of J. H. Heaton, a Customs agent, who sought to take advantage cf the opportunity to briDET some grievance of his own forward, aid disowned both the depntition and the Chambers of Commerce. All efforts to silence him were fruitless, and he had to be allowed to talk himself out.