IMPORTATION OF ANTIQUES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20484, 11 August 1928, Page 12

IMPORTATION OF ANTIQUES.

NOT SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS DUTY. CLASSES OF ARTICLES DEFINED. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, August 10. The classes of articles to be admitted as antiques duty free, in accordance with the provisions of last year’s tariff revision, were announced by the Minister of Customs (Air W. Downie Stewart) today. When the Customs tariff was revised during the 1927 session of Parliament provision was made for the admission free of duty of such antiques and works of art as might be approved by the Minister of Customs, and on conditions prescribed by him, provided that he was satisfied that such articles were produced or manufactured at least 100 years prior to the date of importation into New Zealand.

■ It has now been decided/' stated Mr Stewart, “to admit as antiques such articles as are shown to be at least 100 years old at the time of importation into New Zealand, and which fall under any one of the following classes: Architecture, specimens such as decorations, panelling, doorways, fireplaces, and accessories thereof; arms and armour; books and manuscripts; bronzes and works in other metals; carvings in wood, ivory, hardstone, and other materials; clocks and watches; curios, enamels, engravings, etchings, prints, and kindred works; furniture and cabinet work; garden ornaments; glass and glassware; goldsmiths' and jewellers’ productions; lace, leather work, miniatures, modellings in terracotta, wax, or other materials; musical instruments; paintings, drawings, and pastels; pottery and porcelain; relics of all kinds; sculpture; tapestries, embroideries, needlework, velvets, and other textiles (not including carpets and rugs); and generally articles for the adornment of mankind and his dwellings (excluding carpets and rugs), and objects of educational and museum interest.

"It will, of course, be necessary,” continued the Minister, "that satisfactory evidence should be furnished as to the age of the antiques for which free admission is claimed, and arrangements have been made with the British Antique Dealers’ Association, London, whereby the association will (upon request and payment of the appropriate fee) issue for Customs purposes certificates as to the age of antiques exported from Great Britain to New Zealand. In issuing these certificates the association will be guided_ by the advice of experts. Importations of antiques from a country other than Great Britain should be supported by a declaration by the seller made and verified according to the law of the exporting country as to the age of antiques for which free entry is claimed. It should be understood that the Customs Department will not necessarily accept any such certificates or declaration as conclusive proof of the age of imported articles.”