THE DOMINION'S TRADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 29, 9 June 1913, Page 5

THE DOMINION'S TRADE.

REPORT BY A CUSTOMS \ OFFICER. Wellington, June 8. Mr H. Spence, who represents the New Zealand Customs Department in Great Britain, in his report, says that in over 90 per cent, of cases he had dealt with, he had been accorded every facility to gain the necessary information to settle up any difficulty which has arisen. In no case had ho been actually refused any information whatever, though,, in a few isolated information had been of a verbal nature on[y, {unsupported ?! by documentary evidence. He had on many occasions' been gratified to find: it ho high estimation in which the trade of New Zealand was held in England. He lost no opportunity of placing New Zealand before the manufacturers in a favourable light. Mr Spence said he believed the recommendations he had been enabled to make as the " * result of his 1 inquiries will benefit the New Zealand Customs by some £4OOO or £SOOO annually. In no case had he found or seen any evidence of intention to assist in any direct fraud on the revenue. The differences wherein they occur were mostly accounted for by lack of knowledge of technical points in connection with the working of the New Zealand ad valorem tariff. In the case of preferential goods, he found a very wide misconception' on a per cent, basis for composite articles of part foreign and part British make. Mr Spence investigated, 154 important cases, besides many minor matters, with the result that in 111 cases investigations resulted in direct gain to New Zealand.