CENTURY-OLD ANTIQUES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 5

CENTURY-OLD ANTIQUES

IMPORTATION FREE OF DUTY CUSTOMS CONDITIONS STATE D (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) j WELLINGTON, Friday. j Antiques may be imported free of duty provided they are 100 years old. A statement on the position was made by the Minister of Customs, the Hon. Downie Stewart, in the House this j evening. It has now been decided,” said the Minister, ‘‘to admit us 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 certain classes.” if The Minister read out the list of these classes as follows: —Architecture specimens, for example, decorations, panellings, doorways, fireplaces and accessories; arms and armour; books and manuscripts; bronzes and works in other metals; carving 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 lor the tadornment of mankind and his dwellings (excluding carpets and rugs), and objects of educational and museum interest. “It will, of course be necessary, said Mr. Stewart, “that satisfactory evidence be furnished of the age of the antiques for which free admission is claimed, and arrangements have been j 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 of 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.”