THE NEW TARIFF.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5824, 28 November 1879, Page 3

THE NEW TARIFF.

A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs. T. Buchanan, J, E. Nathan, Wilson, Thomson, and Haroourt, waited upen the Hon. Major Atkinson, Commissioner of Customs, yesterday morning, with reference to the new tariff. Mr. Buckakan briefly introduced the deputation.

Mr. Nathan said the object of the deputation was to bring under the notice of the Government that in paying ad valorem duties the merchants had to pay duty on outside packages, and they asked that these duties might not be charged. There were instances where the duty on packages amounted to a mere trifle in conapari-on with their contents, but in other instances the reverse was the fact; and he spoke of a case of hats, invoiced at £2 10, in addition to which the invoice price of the package containing the hats was 30s. The objection to paying ad valorem duty upon the packages applied as much to ironmongery, earthenware, &c., as to drapery ; while if the packages were lined their cost would be still higher. On goods that came in free of duty there was no duty to pay on the packages, so that it was bard to have to pay duty for some packages, while others were admitted free. Mr. Nathan dwelt at some length upon the inconvenience caused to the trade in consequence of duty being levied upon packages. Mr. Habcoubt pointed out that in Victoria the ad valorem duty was not charged upon the packages. The Colonial -Treasurer said he had hoped the deputation would be able to give him some idea as to what loss the revenue would sustain by remitting the duty on packages. Mr. .Richardson pointed out that by levy, ing duty on packages the goods of the working man, being bulkier, paid a heavier per centage of duty than those of the richer classes. A considerable discussion ensued, in course of which Major Atkinson remarked that if it was a matter of convenience to the trade it ought to be considered, but it was a question of revenue, which must be raised. Mr. Thompson, in reply to Major Atkinson, said the deputation did not ask for a reduction of duty, and would be quite willing to submit to an increase on the goods to make up for taking it off p u.-kages. After some further disonssion, Major Atkinson said he would giye serious consideration to the subject, without committing himself. The fact was the Government were obliged to raise money under pressure, as it were,—The deputation then withdrew.