NG Customs Duty

"To Be Reviewed"

RATES of duty on Australian goods going into New Guinea may soon be revised; or duty may even be abol ished altogether.

At least, Minister Ward says that he is “going into the whole question” with a view to ascertaining what relief may be afforded the residents of the Territory in this direction.

Mr. Ward’s statement followed a series of questions in the House of Representa tives by Mr. Anthony (Lib.). Mr. An thony asked (1) is it correct that New Guinea is being treated as a foreign country in the imposition of customs duties? (2) is customs duty levied on parcels sent from Australia to New Guinea? (3) if so, when were these duties first imposed, and what is the reason for them?

In reply, Mr. Ward said that with re gard to Customs New Guinea was treated as a separate entity from Australia, and had always been so treated.

Readers of the “PIM" have complained that they are subjected to an “export tax” on flour, rice, edible fats, etc. Two months ago we essayed to find out from Australian Government departments if this were so; but, after being passed from one department to another, without result, we withdrew from the unequal contest and concluded that the “tax” of which Territorians complained actually was the withdrawal of the Australian Government bounties on essential goods —and, in this regard, Papua-New Guinea was being treated as a foreign country.

Perhaps when Mr. Ward goes into the question of duty on parcels arriving in New Guinea he will also consider apply ing Australian domestic bounties to Aus tralia’s northern territories. This would be of benefit, not only to Europeans, but to the native population, which is the paramount concern of Mr. Ward and his Administration.