German Goods.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1922, Page 1

German Goods.

ANXIETY IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Aug 16. Although the embargo against German goods was lifted only on August Ist there have already been several shipments unloaded into the country. These oq(ndignmnts have been too small to indicate what will be the ultimate result of renewing trade with our former enemy.

It is expected that several months must elapse before the effect of the removal of the embargo is fully disclosed.

For obvious reasons tho precise administrative methods to he adopted by the Customs Department and the Tariff Board to protect Australian and British industries have not been published, but the general procedure has been announced by the Tariff Board.

Documents in respect of German goods will he examined by Customs officers, and entries must be passed in the ordinary way.

Delivery cannot be, taken until the duty lias lieen paid, this applying equally tq t]ie special duties for which provision has beep made in the antidumping law. The authorities will he assstod to some extent by the reel uirements of the German Government that exporters must declare the value of goods in the currency of the country to which they are consigned. The export duties imposed in Germany tihoqld influence thp volume of goods sent to Australia. The Industries Preservation Act will probably ho amended shortly and give the Tariff Board wider powers of initiating enquiries and action to preserve Australian industries. Under the Customs Act duties can he imposed in tho event of an under-assessment, at any time within twelve months of ,their importation, even though the goods have bean sold. In assessing the value of German goods, regard will bo paid to the ex-i-hange value of the mark at tho date of shipment.