VALUE OF FURS AND MOTORS

Taihape Daily Times, 12 June 1919, Page 7

VALUE OF FURS AND MOTORS

“TAXATION IS PRETTY HEAVY.”i --—-~ 4 Fur coats and motor-cars were I among the matters mentioned in evidence before the Industries Commit.-«I tee in Wellington, when the Comptroller of Customs (Mr. W. B. Montw‘ gamery) was giving evidence. “What is the rate of duty on -the fur coats that are selling at prices up to 200 .guineas in this town? ' asked the chairman of the committee (Mr, C_ A. Wilkinson, M.P.) 1 Mr. Montgomery said the duty on fur coats was 25 per cent. ad volorem on British goods and 37% per cent_ ad Valorcm on foreign goods, ' The chairman: Is the public getting a fair deal with regard to such goods? Do the very high prices charged in‘. the Shops represent fair values? Mr. Montgomery said that would oe a. question for the Board of Trade toi consider. A comparison of invoice; prices and retail prices Wuulf‘ disclose the facts. The question might he asked regarding many of the articles sold to the public. Mr_ “Wilkinson: Woxild ,\‘~(t:z approve 0° a special tax or such luxuries‘? Mr. Montgmnc».'y' The taxatioii is pretty heavy already. t If an article is: expensive the ad val.ol-em duty is high. f The chairman. -asked how the Customs Department assess:-:1 the value of motor-cars for the purpose of the collection of duty. Mr_ Montgomery said the Depart» ment had an inquiry agent in Great ;Britain. This oflicer had asceriainerl {the fair market prices of all makes of motorcars exported to New Zealand. The Department at present had an agent travelling through the United States gathering similar information there. The agents were fully qualified ‘men. He added that the Dcpartmcn-t collected duty on the fair market value, which was the. price at which any peerson of good financial standing could buy the article. The Department did not accept a "hole and corner” price or necessarily the whole sale price_