CUSTOMS BOND AT FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 501, 30 October 1909, Page 2

CUSTOMS BOND AT FOXTON.

LETTER FROM THE

MINISTER

DISCUSSED BY CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE.

At last night's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce the following letter was read from the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Customs in reply to the Chamber’s request to have Foxton constituted a port of entry for dutiable goods “Referring to your letter of the 29th ulto., and previous conespondence relating to deviating Foxton a port of entry, I am directed by the Minister to inform you that after going very fully into the facts and figures submitted by you, he has come to the conclusion that he would not be justified, at the present time, in committing the Government to the increased expenditure which would be incurred in carrying out your wishes. The paying of duty at Wellington, on goods for Palmerston North and other inland towns cannot materially affect the trade of Foxton. If merchants find the Foxton route cheaper than direct railway from Wellington, they will doubtless have their goods sent through Foxton, whether they be under Bond or duty paid. The Minister desires me to express his best wishes for the advancement of Foxton, and his regret that he cannot see his way to make it a port of entry.” The chairman, Dr Mandl, said that the Secretary had written to the Department, advising that the Chamber considered the amount of duty that would be collected annually at Foxton would be at least £20,000. They had been informed by one firm alone that they paid ,£6,000 annually in duty and practically all their goods came through Foxton, and he was of opinion that the amount of duty paid at Foxton would exceed the estimate supplied to the Department. He referred to the number of ports where duty is collected, where the amount paid was far below the amount that was estimated would be collected at Foxton. The following were the ports at which less than ,£20,000 was collected last year :—Picton, ,£305 ; Taurauga, £446; Kaipara, ,£922 ; Patea, £5,458 ; Oamaru, £6,506 ; Hokitika, £9,195 ; Wairau, £ro,588 ; and Westport £13,799- He thought that some further action should be taken.

The other members present were also of opinion that the matter should not be allowed to drop, and It was decided that the Secretary prepare a petition for signature by merchants and others interested in having Foxton constituted a port of entry for dutiable goods, aud the Secretary was appointed to visit Palmerston N,, and get signatures to same, and that copies of the petition be sent to Levin, Feilding and Marton for signatures, and the President and Mr Levett were appointed to interview the Chairman of the Harbour Board and make arrangements for the presentation of the petition to the Minister on his visit to Foxton on the 6th prox.