TARIFF TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1922, Page 5

TARIFF TREATY.

GOODS FROM SOUTH AFRICA, THE AGREEMENT ALTERED. NEW DUTIES FIXED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House this afternoon, the Hon. W. D. Stewart, as Minister of Customs, brought down a resolution ratifying a reciprocal arrangement as to customs duties with the Union of South Africa, in terms of Section 10 of the Customs Amendment Act, 1921. The Minister explained that by the New Zealand and South African Customs Duties Reciprocity Act, 1906, provision was made for customs reciprocity between New Zealand and South Africa, and an Order-in-Council to give effect to the agreement entered into was accordingly issued on January 7, 1907, which was subsequently amended by an Order-in-Council on March 31, 1909. In all subsequent alterations of the tariff operation, these Orders-in-Coun-cil have been specifically preserved. By an Order-in-Council issued under the Customs Amendment Act, 1921, on July 3, 1922, the aforesaid Orders-in-Council were revoked as from August 1, 1922, for the purpose of affording an opportunity of reviewing the rates of duty on wine and tobacco. The revocation of the Orders-in-Council placed South African produce on the British preferential tariff, and it is now desired to revert to the agreement, save so far as it relates to wine and tobacco. It is proposed to increase the duty on wine from 2s to 3s 6d a gallon (in the case of wines other than sparkling), and from 5s a gallon to 9s 6d a gallon in the case of sparkling wines. It is not proposed to restore the former concession on tobacco, which will in future pay the British preferential tariff rate (in lieu of 2s 6d a lb). The concessions granted in respect of New Zealand produce entering South Africa have not been revoked. The Minister’s resolution was as follows: That the existing tariff be suspended as from the first day of August, 1922, in so far as it relates to goods referred to in the schedule hereto (being goods the produce or manufacture of the Union of South Africa), and that in lieu thereof such goods shall, as from the said first day of August, be subject to duties and exemptions from duty specified in that schedule. The schedule of goods (being the produce or manufacture of the Union of South Africa) is: Feathers: 15 per cent, ad valorem. Fish: ljd per lb. Fruits (dried) : Free. Fruits (green): Free. Maize: 6d per cental. Sugar: Free. Tea: Id per lb. Wine (other than sparkling): 3s 6d the gallon. Wine (sparkling) : 9s 6d the gallon. All other goods, except spirits and tobacco, 3 per cent, less than the duty which would otherwise be payable. The resolution was agreed to on the voices.