CUSTOMS REVENUE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 2

CUSTOMS REVENUE.

The New Zealand, Gazette, May 6th, contains a return of the Customs revenue at, the several ports of New Zealand, for the quarter ending March 31st, 1875. The following are the totals:— Customs Revenue. March quarter, 1875 £320,523 March quarter, 1874 297,765 Increase £22,753 This increase should be considered satisfactory: not that we regard it as indicative of an increased purchasing power on the part of the people, but simply as an indication that the new arrivals find ready employment, and contribute at once their quota to the revenue. Taking the principal ports of the colony, wo have the following results :

These figures conclusively show the lead which Otago has taken in the commerce of the colony, because although that province appears as contributing £113,332 of Customs duties for the last March quarter, in reality this sum represents imports for distribution throughout the colony, which thus pays Customs duties that are credited in the public accounts to Otago. In this way, the enterprise of the Dunedin merchants adds to the revenue of their province, by supplying other settlements with imported goods. Auckland stands second on the list, with Lyttelton a bad third, considering the relative populations of Canterbury and Auckland.’ But here the preceding remarks apply with greatest force. Dunedin supply a great deal of imported merchandise for Canterbury consumption; hence the apparently small consumption of dutiable goods in the latter province. Now, at the close of

1874, the population of Canterbury was 58,775, which has been increased by immigrants since that period, while Auckland numbered 67,451 souls, exclusive of Maoris, and has been less fortunate in its increase by immigration. It will be seen, therefore, that the disparity of numbers cannot account for the disproportion in the amount of Customs revenue contributed by these two provinces, throwing the Maori population into the bargain. Money was plentiful in Canterbury; it was scarce in Auckland; but Otago undoubtedly is credited with Customs duty which has been paid indirectly by Canterbury. In like manner, we may explain the apparent falling - off in revenue on the West Coast and Nelson. Since the new Tariff came into operation, the trade of the West Coast and the Cook Strait settlements of the Middle Island has been gradually passing out of the hands of the Melbourne merchants into those of Dunedin and Wellington importers. Otherwise, we could not explain the anomalies of the return before us. Thus, Marlborough, with a population of 6145, is only credited, at its four ports, with £2334 Customs duty for the last March quarter, while Hawke’s Bay, with a population of 9228, paid £11,439 during the same period at the port of Napier. The fact is that Wellington has largely engrossed the Marlborough trade, while Dunedin is a keen competitor. Coming to the heads of revenue, wefind that luxuries—spirits, wine, ale, and tobacco—contribute most to the State.. Were a virtuous economising fit to seize the people, it would be a very serious matter for the Colonial Treasurer. ‘ ‘ Drink deep, thy country calls,” should be written over every Custom-house ui the colony. The items are ;

When the large stock of New Zealandmade spirits is worked off, the revenue returns under this head will, no doubt, show a considerable increase, inasmuch as distillation has been suppressed by law.

Auckland.. March qr., 1875. Ditto, 1874. £53,082 £02.708 Thames .. 2,493 1,780 Taranaki ,, 1,912 2,339 . Wanganui 0,187 0,029 Wellington 36,930 11,439 32,806 Napier 10,707 Wairau ., 1,750 1,315 Nelson 10,603 10.911 Westport.. 3,749 4,528 Oreymouth .. 8,200 C.SU 10,350 Hokitika .. 9,254 Lvttelton.. .. .. 44,531 45,227 Timam .. .. .. 6,519 4,903 Oamaru .. 2,184 2,043 Dunedin .. .. 100,078 91,902 Invercargill .. .. 8,341 0,472 Riverton .. .. 1,648 1,201

Foreign spirits .. March qr., 1875. Ditto 1874. .. £81.109 £73.125 New Zealand spirits 5,044 5,556 Cigars and snuff .. 3,925 3,952 Tobacco ,. .. 25,560 25,161 Wine 9,581 9,763 Bottled ale, &c. .. 5,9X9 6,550 Tea 17,002 15,357 Coffee, &c. 1,610 1,350 Sugar and molasses 31,842 28,893 Opium 740 703 Goods (weight) .. 14,225 14,613 Ad valorem, 10 per cent. 111,919 101,906 Other duties 11,196 9,776