Original Correspondence CUSTOMS.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 2, 14 June 1845, Page 3

Original Correspondence CUSTOMS.

To the Editor of the "iVcw Zealander." Sin, -— In your hut number, " an Impoiter'' ver\ briefly, but truly* pointed out the restrictions on the trade of Auckland, by the hours of landing being confined between those of nine and thre«> o'clock ; l)ut that is not the only drawback to commerce. This harsh and arbitrary regulation tends very much to increase all -hipping expellees. As vessels are detained s>> much lon»er in the haibour before they can wholly discharge, it is tantamount to lengthening the voyage ; consequently, there is an increase in the charge ol IVei" lit, which will Ceilainly be not less than ten shilling's per ton ; and as Only a limited tonnage of goods can lie lauded by a boat during the six hours ulluwcil, the increase ol ctpeuce of lauding may be idirly calculated at two shilling-* and sixpence a ion. It would be thought that every facility would be j>i*en to Merchants and Importers by having a proper and elncicnt establishment of officers, more especially as the hours are limited for the transaction <>t Customs : but all is hurry and trouble. There is only one officer, and with tiuth and justice it must be allowed that he exerts himself to the utmost, but it is moral lj impossible he can peil'orm during those six hours the duties ol Lauding Waiter, Tide Surveyor, Lauding Suncy or and Guager. This i- false economy. The Customs is looked to, I believe, as the main source of revenue to p.ty other deparlmeuts, hut it should first pay its own officers, that is, it should provide for a sufficient number of ihein ; but at present, there is only Mi*. Young, who is in iecjuest from morning till night, and required at all hutirs of the d'jy, to be in several places at the same time. But what is still more absurd and strauge, here is a Customs' Establishment without a boat, so that vessels are cpjite Iree from the occasional visits to see what X goiiiij on on board. The Harbour Master, I believe, has a boat's ti'cw, who with him have trauslormed themselves into bombardiers, but surely if they have nothing to do in their regular calling, they might be more useful in the Customs. However, Sir, my object in troubling you with these lines was to confirm the statement in your last uuinbei— t hat the present regulations are vexatious and expensive to importers — and likewise to show that the Goveinmeut are acting foolishly in not having an efficient yet economical Customs? Establishment, in order to promote the trade of Auckland, and consequently 10 inciease their own revuuue Iron i it. Before conclusion, I would take tlii3 opportunity ofa'sking, whether it is the exclusive power of the Collector of Customs to grant Licences for lioude.l Stores i Monopolies are bad and dangerous — and an exc.iu.sive Bonded Store would militate against the trade of Auckland, and deter importation, beside? giving great advantage to the holder of an exclusive Licence. I am, Sir, &c, MERCATOR. Fort-street, June 12, 1845. [We insert the above letter with pleasure, as we consider every facility possible should be given to Trade. — It is but common justice to the fair trader that there should he evei'y precaution against smug gling ; but a Custonu Establishment without a boat, and with only one water side officer, uius.t be per-

lerily moltiuiviit, or else ti cic is no commerce uliatevci 1 . — Wo cannot aii'.wi r iruiy (lie «|U(*^li m of our Lorruspoiideiit ro-jiucLini" Liceuci*) for lioud d stoics ; but vm hh.jiil.l |>rL'biuue that the bonded Store being 1 under the immediate tontroul and search of the Customs*, that tbe chiel ofikei of tlu>t department, as there is no JJo..jd 01 t ujlo.i.s, ]>.) sessts tiie ponur. -Ei.j