New Customs Tariffs Prepared For Cabinet

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 16

New Customs Tariffs Prepared For Cabinet

"The Press" Special Service

WELLINGTON, May 15

In revising the customs tariff, the Government had followed the recommendations on the rates of duties made in the 1957 report of the Board of Trade in its general tariff review, said the Minister of Customs (Mr Marshall) today when the first draft copies of the new tariff were delivered to him. The large volumes of tariffs marked "secret.” will go to members of the Cabinet for a thorough study, which is expected to take until July. When the new schedule has been approved by the Cabinet it will be made available to trade organisations such as the chambers of commerce and manufacturers’ and importers’ associations. The copies would not, of course, contain the proposed rates of duty, the Minister said. “Immediately a Customs Act Amendment Bill has been introduced and read a first time in the House of Reoresentatives, probably in September, complete sets of all document, with the possible exception of an index to the explanatory notes, will be available for purchase.” Mr Marshall continued. , , The items of the present outdated tariff had been translated into the nomenclature of the revised international standard trade classific’aion, the most convenient basis for both tariff purposes and trade statistics. the Minister said. The new classification also made it easier to provide for the new items required from time to time in an age of rapid scientific development.

Explanations The Customs Department was now well under way with the tariff’s companion volume of explanatory notes They would indicate, to a degree not practicable in the legal definitions, the scope of individual tariff items. An index to the tariff wa_ being prepared, the first drat, of a chemicals index had been -finished, and still to be undertaken was an index to the explanatory notes. In addition to the amending legislation now being drafted, amendments to customs regulations would be needed because of changes in forms now in use. “International negotiations required as a result of this change still remain to be arranged when the Cabinet has approved the new tariff. ’ Mr Marshall continued. "There will be discussions with the United Kingdom. Australia, and Canada on New Zealand’s obligations under G ATT" “Education” A programme of "education” was being arranged to enable customs officers, importers. and customs agents to become familiar with the new system. The Customs Department was bringing

officers from various ports to Wellington to help in preparing notes and indices. When the time came, all those involved would be able to attend courses.

“Importers and customs agents will, I believe, find that the new tariff nomenclature is not nearly so formidable as many expect it to be," said the Minister. “It will need concentrated and careful study, which the department will do all it can to facilitate. Basically, the new numeration is only an extension of the well-known Dewey system of classification. which is In general use in our libraries." The date for the new tariff to come into operation would be co-ordinated with the new import licensing period which was now being considered. Legislation for the proposed tariff development board was being prepared and would be Introduced during the coming session, Mr Marshall said. It would provide for tariff reviews to be made by the board along the lines of the procedure followed by the Australian Tariff Board.