COMMONWEALTH CUSTOMS DEFIED.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 12020, 22 August 1907, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH CUSTOMS DEFIED.

Received August 21, n.oa p.m. Sydney, August 21. Mr Carruthers states that he instructed the Police to remove a quantity of wire netting from one of the wharves in defiance of the Commonwealth Customs. He had done so as it was within the rights of the State under the Federal Constitution to import goods free of duty. The action of Mr Carruther3 creates an interesting situation with the Federal authorities. Melbourne, August 21. Sir W. Lyne informed the House that he bad received intelligence from Sydney that Mi Carruthers had sent a force of Polioe to one of .the whaives and removed a quantity of wire netting ordered by the State Government in defiance of the Customs officers. One member said Mr Carruthers would have been arrested if the Government had done its duty. Sir W. Lyne replied that he wanted to act judiciously, but he thought the Government must proceed further. He had given orders to have other shipments of wire netting placed under lock and key.