THE NEW TARIFF.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 481, 3 December 1879, Page 3

THE NEW TARIFF.

(' From the New Zealand Times.) A UEi’tiTATioN from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs T. Buchanan 1 J. E. Nathan, Wilson, Thomson, and liarcourt, wailed upon the Hon. .Major Atkinson, Commissioner of Customs, on Thursday morning, with reference to the new tariff. Mr Nathan said tho 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. Thees were instances where the duty on packager amounted to a mere trifle in comparison with their contents, but in other instances the reverse was the fact ; and be spuAe of a case of bats, invoiced at L2 10s, 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, &e., 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 outlie packages, so that it was hard to have to pay duly 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 Harcourt pointed out that in Victoria the ad valorem duty was not charged upon the packages. The Colonial Treasurer said he had hoped tho deputation would bo 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 levying duty on packages the goods of the working man, being bulkier, paid a heavier per eentage of duly than those of tho richer classes.

A considerable discussion ensued, in the 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 Thomson, 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 oil: packages. Alter some further discussion, Major Atkinson said he would give serious consideration to the subject, without committing himself. The tact was the Government were obliged to raise money under pressure, as it were.— The deputation then withdrew.