TARIFF REVISION

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 175, 14 October 1927, Page 13

TARIFF REVISION

FURTHER CHANGES MADE IN SCALE WHEAT AND FLOUR DUTIES (THE SL'N'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Further amendments to the tariff schedule were brought into the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Customs, the Hen. W. Downie Stewart, who had previously intimated his intention to effect several alterations at the request of different interests. Under the resolutions imported wheat is to be subject to an impost of Is Sd per 601 b bushel, instead of 3 s Id, the basis for the duty being a current domestic value of 5s 6d per bushel at the port of shipment, with provision for raising or lowering the duty by a halfpenny for every halfpenny that the current domestic value fluctuates below or above 5s 6d. The duty on wheat flour, wheat meal and similar preparations of wheat is to remain at £3 10s a ton, but the basis for' computing the duty is to be a current domestic value of £l3 10s a ton, instead of £l3 a ton. as was previously suggested in the tariff. Provision is made in the vegetable section for a special duty on preserved peas in tins or containers, including the weight of any liquid. The British preferential tariff is to be 20 per cent, ad valorem or one penny a pound, whichever returns the higher duty, the general rate being 40 per cent, or twopence a pound with the same provision. FLOOR COVERINGS In the floor coverings section the second clause, “inlaid linoleum, cork carpets, rubber flooring and floor mats of similar materials,” is deleted and for it is substituted a clause, “linoleums, cork carpets, rubber flooring and floor mats of similar materials exceeding 2.3 millimetres in thickness. ’ The duty re.mains the same at 20 per cent, and 40 per cent. MARBLE AND STONE Marble in the rough is still to come in free, but granite or other stone, not elsewhere included in the tariff, will be subject to 10 per cent, duty if it comes from a foreign country. Granite and other stone, n.e.i., which is rough-sawn but not dressed or polished, will be subject to a five per cent, or 15 per cent, duty according as to whether it is entitled to come in under the preferential tariff or the general tariff. The remainder of the duties on stone are unchanged. SHEET IRON MANUFACTURES Galvanised iron manufactures is widened by including japanned or lacquered metalware furniture, cabinet ware and shelving specially suited for office, shop and warehouse use, which is made up from metal not exceeding 0.08 inches in thickness. Bill hooks, bush hooks, slashers and hedge knives will now have a tariff of 20 per cent. British and .40 per cent, foreign. Previously they were to come in free under the British preferential tariff and at 20 per cent, under the general tariff.