GERMAN GOODS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1923, Page 4

GERMAN GOODS.

LARGE QUANTITIES REACHING NEW ZEALAND. WELLINGTON. Aug. 23. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) called the Prime Minister's attention yesterday afternoon to the statement made by Mr I). A. I’Nven at the prcvoits day’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, that he had every reason to believe that £300.000 worth of goods imported from England during the last six months as British goods had been made in Germany. Mr Wilford asked the Prime Minister. when at Home, to go into the question of (lerman goods reaching New Zealand via Great Britain. According to the information lie had 50 per cent, ad valorem was collected at British ports on German goods. It might be that there was some arrangement by which these goods were loaded with the 50 per cent, though it was not collected at the Customs; and if our people bought goods thus loaded, surely it would he as well that we should collect the 50 per cent, at our Customs House, getting them direct instead of via Great Britain.

The Prime Minister replied that lie intended to look into the matter referred to. So far as he was concerned. Ins thought, that, if German goods were coining ot New Zealand through British ports, we ought to know exactly what was taking place, so that we might he able to take steps accordingly. It was inst possible that with iulier information we would he able to make some at rangement which would meet the circumstances ot the case.