The Customs Tariff.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 30, 3 August 1895, Page 2

The Customs Tariff.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, August 1. A deputation representing the Wellington jewellery trade waited on the Hon Mr Ward to protest against the proposed alterations of the tariff affecting the trade. It was pointed out that if there was any increase in the duty, it would not pay to manufacture jewellery here. Jewellers would have to send their designs Home and get them made up there, it paying better to pay the 25 per cent duty on the finished article, and take the advantage of the lower Home rates for manufacturing. . Were the duty imposed on precious stones this would be the only colony in which such duty existed. There was such a duty for four year^in Victoria, but as nothing was paid under it, and stones were smuggled while traders had to cease direct impor tations, and buy from various, people who smuggled stones in, the duty was removed. There was also such a duty at one time in New Zealand, but only was paid under it, the stones used being brought in through illegitimate channels and then sold to jewellers. As for the duty on jewellery it was already as high as it could stand. I Purchasers had already to give the Government 22£ per cent, l and to give more would simply mean serious injury to the trade. The Colonial Treasurer said he would give the representations of the deputation hig favorable consideration. .