SOUTH AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1930, 28 August 1888, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION.

■ >» •— ' ' '■■ : - v; ■ . . [PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] < GIPBtOWK, AUgttst 25, A special session of the Gape Parliament, convened to reconsider the: ■;•? African Customs Union Bill^ have now passed the measure. This measure is the outoonae of a omferenoe whlob was held some time ago of delegates from the Orange Free State and the colonies of the Oape of Good Hone and Natal on Oastoms Union and Railway extension. The Conference passed several >; resolutions, the principal balng as follows j — M That It is desirable that there should be a Customs Union between ail the oolenles and States of South Africa on the baste — 3ubjeot to oertatn limitations to be agreed upon— firstly, of an uniform tariff on all imported goods consumed within the Union, and of an equitable distribution of the duties collected on such goods amongst the parties to such Union ; and, secondly, of free trade between' tbo oalonies and States In respect of all Sooth , Afrioan produots. That, with a view to furthering the ultimate establishment of such an Union, it v further desirable that the oolonles and States r presented at this Conference should, if practicable, Initiate a Oustorai. Union as between themselves, on the basis therein laid down." * The tariff agreed upon is described as being of a protective nature, althoogh it was alleged by its advooates that U wd« a redaction on the previous tariff, and did not.go so far as tbat lo force In Victoria. It was arranged that the resolutions passed at the Conference should be subImitted by the delegates to their respective Governments.--*' Press."