CUSTOMS BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1927, Page 1

CUSTOMS BILL.

A CLAUSE DELETED. WELLINGTON. Oct. K». The Minister of Customs, anticipating a long discussion when the House in committee reached Clause 1-1 of the Customs Bill to-night, got in an explanation which stemmed the rush. He dropped the clause. It had provided that where the Minister had reason to believe that clearances of goods from hood were excessive in anticipation of a variation in duties he could either prohibit the clearance of more than normal quantities or issue (clearance certificate subject! to any higher duty, if any, being subsequently paid. Tho Hon W. Downie Stewart, remarked that tho clause introduced a new and far-reaching principle into the Customs law, and the commercial community had not had an adequate opportunity of considering its effect. He proposed to delete it from the Bill. (Hear, hear). “To use a card phrase. I am dropping it from strength, not from weakness,” he said. “As a. matter of fact I had intended to drop it. The strength of tho position is that X never expected to make liso of it myself, but it was for the benefit of some future Minister who has to revise the tariff. We have ample power to introduce it before the tariff is revised again, and I thought it would save the time of the House if we dropped it now.”

Sir Joseph Ward: That is what you call “no trumps.” Mr Holland, leader of the Opposition, who ascertained that the clause was inserted at tho suggestion of the Customs Deparment. sai’d lie noticed ho such suggestion was mfide by the Tariff Board, and any regrets the Minister might have were more than shared by members, because an earlier announcement would have saved them a lot of work. He supposed the Minister, after Tiis experience of whisky—he would not suggest it in a personal sense—after his experience of whisky taken out of bond in anticipation of high duties, felt he would he wise to fortify himself. (Laughter). Mr Wiilford (Hutt) also regretted that the Minister had not indicated his plans earlier. He had come prepared with a good deal of material expecting a long debate on this Clause. It had been a very busy time for every member of the House and this clause had caused more correspondence 'than anything else m the tariff. Lie could not understand what prompted it.

Mr Stewart : It is based on the English law. but goes further.