TARIFF. REPORT BY THE CANTERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THE PRESENT TARIFF AND THE PROPOSED ALTERATIONS THEREIN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1870 Session I, D-12

D.—No. 12.

TARIFF. REPORT BY THE CANTERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THE PRESENT TARIFF AND THE PROPOSED ALTERATIONS THEREIN.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY 15th JULY, 1870. WELLINGTON. 1870.

D.—No. 12.

Chairman of Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Sir,— Christchurch, N.Z., 12th July, 1870. I have the honour to enclose copy of a Report on the present Tariff, agreed upon by this Chamber at a special meeting held yesterday. I remain, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. John Inolis, Chairman.

REPORT. Report on the Tariff, agreed to by the Chamber at a Special Meeting held on the Bth and 11th July. 1. The Chamber having considered the question of the Tariff now in operation, as well as the alterations proposed by the Colonial Treasurer, have come to the undernoted conclusions with regard to the rates of duty which it would be advisable to adopt on a number of articles of import. 2. The Chamber has not been able to agree with the proposed alterations in the Tariff as a whole, and they submit other amendments on the present rates. 3. The Chamber thinks the drawback of one shilling on bulk and two shillings per gallon on Bottled Wines proposed by the Colonial Treasurer, is too small to bring about increased revenue or the extensive introduction of these beverages into New Zealand, if such objects are sought to be effected; but they believe it would be advantageous to the Colony if arrangements could be made with the Australian Governments to admit their wines into our ports free —conditional upon their reciprocating the arrangement with regard to our cereals. 4. The Chamber is of opinion that duty should bo levied upon the gallon of proof spirits, and that a proportionate allowance should be made for spirits under proof. 5. Tho Chamber recommends the increase of the duty on the following articles : — Bacon and Hams ... ... *1 ad. per lb. instead of Id. Butter ... ... ... *3d. ' ~ „ Id. Cheese ... ... ... *2d. „ „ Id. Cordage under 3 in. ... *6s. per cwt. „ 3s. per cwt. Cornflour... ... ... *2s. per ft. „ Is. per ft. Flour ... ... ... *ls. per 100 lbs. „ Free. Grain ... ... ... *9d. „ „ Free. Groats ... ... ... *2s. per ft. „ Is. per ft. Hops ... ... ... 2d. per lb. ~ Id. per lb. Maizena ... ... ... *2s. per ft. „ Is. per ft. Bice ... ... ... *2s. 6d. per cwt. ~ 2s. per cwt. The duties on articles marked with an asterisk (*) are the same as thoso proposed by the Colonial Treasurer. 6. The Chamber recommends the reduction of duty on the following articles : —• Seaming Twine ... ... Free, instead of ... 2s. per cwt. Sacks ... ... ... *Freo „ ... Is. 6d. per ft. Woolpacks ... ... *Free „ ... Is. 6d. per ft. Grindery... ... ... *Free ~ ... Is. per ft. Spirits of Tar ... ... *Freo „ ... 6d. per gallon. Sheepwash Tobacco ...' Free „ ... 3d. per lb. Paper-Writing, Printing,) Is. per ft. and Wrapping ... ) l Paper Bags ... ... Free ~ ... Is. per ft. Plate Glass ... ... 3d. per ft. ~ ... Is. per ft. Fish, Preserved ... ... 2s. 6d. ~ ~ ... ss. as proposed. The items marked with an asterisk (*) are those proposed to be free by the Colonial Treasurer. 7. The Chamber does not see any reason why duties should be remitted from tho following articles if an even balance of taxation is to be maintained, and would therefore propose the retention of tho

REPORT OF CANTERBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON PROPOSED ALTERATIONS IN CUSTOMS TARIFF.

J).— No. 12

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REPORT ON CUSTOMS TARIEE.

previous rates ; especially in the case of Ironmongery, where the duty is comparatively moderate, ana in present circumstances the reduction would be a gratuitous loss to the revenue ; and although they recommend the duties on Fencing Materials, Holloware, and other Ironmongery to be retained instead of admitting them duty free, they are of opinion that it would be still better to impose an ad valorem duty on such goods, and as provided in next clause of this report. Fencing Materials ... 20s. per ton, instead of Free as proposed. Holloware ... 4s. per cwt., ~ „ Coppcrwaro ... 4s. per cwt., ~ „ Nails, &o, &c. ... 4s. per cwt., ~ „ Papier Mache ... Is. per ft., ~ „ Liquorice... ... 2s. 6d. per ft., „ „ Alum ... ... 3s; per ft., „ ~ Arsenic ... ... 4s. per cwt., ~ ~ Pitch and Tar ... Is. per barrel „ ~ 8. The Chamber recommends that instead of the present duties, an ad valorem duty should be levied on the following descriptions of goods, as they think a larger and more equitable taxation would be obtained thereby. The goods referred to vary exceedingly in quality and price, and it is impossible under any other system to raise duties fairly on them. Soft Goods of all descriptions. Prints and Painting. Saddlery and Harness. Earthenware. Fencing Materials. Chinaware. Holloware. Mantelpieces. Tinware. Paperhangings. All descriptions of Ironmongery. Boots and Shoes. Firearms and Swords. Vamps and Uppers.