PASSING ENTRIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1613, 3 December 1912, Page 4

PASSING ENTRIES.

4 ' ■ OF INTEREST TO IMPORTEES. At the lust mooting of tho Wellington Chamber of Commerce, it was decided, on the proposal of Mv. Manton, to write to t)ie Secretary of Customs, asking him if tho Department could not eee its way to assist importers by passing entries lor goods on a vessel quo in Wellington which has been reported by wireless from the Wellington station, instead of waiting until that vessel arrives in port. The Secretary of Customs (Mr. W. B. Montgomery) has replied as follows:— "I lmvo to acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 5, and as an interim reply to state that there is somo doubt as to tho legality of the acceptance of entries before the duty becomes duo. Such action might possibly influence tho settlement of any dispute or prosecution for fraud subsequent to the importation of Hie mods. It is intended to submit tlio question to the Law Officer, arid upon his reply being received, a further communication will be sent. It must be obvious that at any time when change of tariff is likely to take place, entries could not bo received until the goods had been actually imported."