CUSTOMS COLLECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18995, 17 October 1923, Page 7

CUSTOMS COLLECTION

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. A REPRESENTATIVE! CONGRESS. Preoo Association—By Telegraph—Copyri£«* LONDON, October 16. (Received Oct. 16, at 7.30 p.m.) The Daily Telegrafph’s Geneva correspondent says that the International Conference on Customs formalities has been opened under the presidency of Earl Buxton. Delegates are present from 35 States, including Australia and New Zealand. Earl Buxton said that no one would fail to see how vitally necessary the expansion of trade and commerce was to the economic reconstruction of Europe. It was obvious that a revival was impeded by undue or complicated Customs formalities. The after-effects of the war and the change of frontiers had necessarily tended to increase these hindrances and difficulties. Sir H. Lie wily n Smith, representing Great Britain, said he had full power to sign a convention, and he recommended the delegates who were without the necessary authority to obtain it. The German delegate said he would support the efforts of the conference. He hoped that an agreement would be reached and loyally carried out.—A. and NZ. Cable.

This conference was convoked by the League of Nations to consider the simplification. of the method of collecting Customs dues and the general application of Customs legislation. The Unite 1 States, German, and Mexican chambers of commerce were invited in addition to the members of the League.