Tariff “Jumpers” May Be Restricted

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 167, 5 October 1927, Page 13

Tariff “Jumpers” May Be Restricted

CONTROL OF CLEARANCES POWER TO CHECK DUMPING CTHE SI X’S Pa liatnentarj, Reporte, k WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Extensive restrictions upon attempts to effect excess ve clearances from bond, in anticipation of tariff alterations. are imposed upon importers by the Customs Amendment Bill, which was introduced into the Houso of Representatives this evening and read the first time. Apart from a few special provisions the Bill embraces the tariff resolutions of the? Government. If alterations are about to he made in the tariff, the Collector of Customs may refuse to pass entries for goods if excessive clearances are being made in anticipation of an alteration, although he can accept security from an importer that if additional duties become payable they will be paid. In oases where duties are increased the collector may, within three months of the operation of duties, demand extra payment if he believes that excessive clearances have been made. From -hese decisions of the Collector of Customs the importer may appeal, and if the Minister decides the greater duty should be paid he is empowered to demand it from the importer. Power is conferred upon the Gover-nor-General in Council to impose special duties on goods imported from foreign countries if the exporters of these goods are making discrimination to the advantage of New Zealand goods, r.nd also in cases where goods are imported from countries which have a high tariff wall against New 2iealand. or where the importation of New Zealand goods is restricted or prohibited. Saving clauses, keeping in operation existing trade treaties with South Africa and Australia, are inserted in the Bill. The duties provided in the Bill do not operate in the Cook Islands till a date to be fixed by the GovemorGenersd.