TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2903, 16 October 1916, Page 6

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

NEW WAR REGULATIONS. ' The effect of the new War Regulations dealing with tho importation, of goods into Now Zoaland was explained by the Attorney-General (tho Hon. A. L. Herdman) in a statement made by him on Saturday. Mr. Herdman said that those regulations which required importers to seo that "certificates of origin and interest," and in other cases "certificates of interest," were furnished with goods imported from certain countries were made at the instigation of the Imperial authorities, who apparently desired to establish uniformity of _■' practice throughout all British countries. "I believe," said Mr. Herdman, "that special instructions have been issued to consular offices, and they have been supplied with forms of certificates of origin and certificates of interest. The object oSj requiring these certificates is to ensure that goods imported into New Zealand from the countries affected have not been manufactured in enemy territory, and that no enemy has any interest ;n them. The principle of the regulations just made is not entirely new, for under regulations which we made on January 26, 1915, we provided, in the case of goods _ imported from the Scandinavian countries, and from Holland and Switzerland, that certificates of origin should" be supplied by the importer to the Customs authorities before delivery of the goods could be had. The regulations of January 26 and others have now been repealed, and the now regulations from Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, have been substituted.

"Certificates of interest and origin are required in the case of goods imported from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Switzerland. Certificates of interest only are required in tho case of goods imported froin all foreign countries except those mentioned above, and Franco, Italy, Russia, Japan, Rumania, Portugal, China, Siam, Hayti, the -United States,' and French. possessions in the Pacific'. Business men should notice that the regulations will apply to all goods which will leave the country of export after October 15.

"I desire to call special attention to the new regulations relating to Army contracts. Formerly the contractor only was liable to a penalty for an intentional breach of contract. But tho Government has deemed it necessary to extend this principle, and now under the regulations just made not only is a contractor liable, but a subcontractor and an 'cmployeo may beprosecuted and punished if they are proved to be guilty of conduct which results in the contract being broken."