THE NEW TARIFF.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 34, 4 November 1907, Page 6

THE NEW TARIFF.

—: — t4 r' ..... ACTIVITY IN AUCKLAND. (FnOM OUR OWN COIIBESPONDENT.I , ■ Auckland, November 2. . In view of the increase in the duty on boots, there was a general clearance of all stocks .from the bond (several hundred pounds being paid in duty) the day before the tariff came into operation. The s.s. Opawa, from Home, had a considerable shipment of boots on. board, but, fortunately for a number of impofters, she arrived a day before the increases took effect, and all shipments woio immediately cleared in order to save, the increased duty.. If the Opawa had been delayed .another day, the Customs duties would ,, have benefitted, but, as it happenedthe importers reapod the advantage. Whether tho. consumers will also bo soMortunate is another question. An approximate. estimato of the amount of revenue that the port, of Auckland will lose under the exemption clauses of the tariff places the figure at £139,1-15 per. annum, as compared with previous years. The freeing of sugar accounts form by far, t.'.e greatest diminution, for under this heading alone £127,515 was paid in. duty at the port of Auckland for the year 1906. For currants, raisins, and dried fruits last year about £7000 .was' paid in duty; on mustard about £400, tartaric acid '£80, spices.. £700,. paperhangings £1200, sheet lead £250, and vegetable oil £2000. The. duty paid on sporting powder was very small, being only £95 for the whole Dominion. With a view to enabling them to secure a refund of duty on'a number of articles that havo now been placed on the , free list, but on which duty had been paid, local merchants havo shipped a very largo quantity ,of goods to Sydney under' tho drawback regulations of the Customs Department under which merchants can obtain a full refund of duty previously paid on goods which are now placed on tho free list. On tho arrival of .the goods in Sj'ilney they are transhipped back to Auckland- to arrive hero when tho exceptions come into operation, and thus • secure tho landing of the goods duty free.