Fiji Now

[?]uty Free Goods In Fiji Now

From our Suva Correspondent Cameras, radios and watches s among the things that can be

ught in Fiji duty free from

auary 1.

[RADERS expect a boost in tourist spending as a result of the de ion. However, most of them think t the decision doesn’t go far Dugh (see panel).

IFhe Financial Secretary, Mr. H. P. chie, announced in the December dget session of the Legislative uncil the list of items to be de red duty free, and also the date new arrangement would come 3 effect. The previous month he 1 announced that the Government I decided to make the concessions, had been under pressure for some e to make them some people I asked that Suva be declared a y free port.

Tie decision will mean the end the drawback of duty system, ler which tourists have been able buy duty-free items for delivery ‘heir ship or aircraft on departure.

Tie drawback system will not end il March 31 to give traders time clear stocks on which they have 1 duty. tfter the Legco announcement

unofficial members did their best to have such items as fur coats, ex pensive textiles, cigarette lighters and electric shavers included in the duty free list.

Even though Mr. Ritchie stuck his toes in against this, he did offer some hope by saying that the prescribed items fitted the bill for “the time be ing.” Presumably in the light of ex perience the list could be revised and perhaps added to.

Removal of the personal drawback system will be a relief to harassed Customs officers who have to cope with mountains of paper work within a very short space of time whenever an overseas ship is at Suva. It will also mean some relief from paper work for traders, although, from April 1, the range of goods they may sell duty free will be considerably reduced.

Mr. Ritchie, answering arguments that more goods should be sold duty free (he said the Government had been asked to remove duty “on almost every item imported”) said the suggestions were impracticable.

There was still a vital need to raise revenue through import duties.

And should Fiji become associated with the Common Market the Colony would have to pay regard to those trading interests.

"Extremely Careful"

“For that reason we have to be extremely careful about the items we exempt from duty and we have to see that revenue does not decrease to such an extent that we have to put on another tax to make it up,”

Mr. Ritchie said.

He said the Government would keep a “careful watch” on the tourist trade, but he felt the present list of duty free goods should not be in terfered with before Fiji had a reason able chance to see how it was work ing out. The list covered by far the greater proportion of drawback sales.

Mr. J. N. Falvey, European elected member, said Mr. Ritchie was put ting forward a good argument for leaving the personal drawback system alone so that people could still be told that Fiji was a place for bargains.

Mr, R. G. Kermode said there were fewer difficulties in the draw back system and urged the Govern ment to explore it thoroughly.

Mr. J. A. Moore also agreed that the drawback system should remain, as there was no better way, he said, of finding out what extra items should be added to the duty free list.

Mr. H. B. Gibson urged that jewellery should be added to the duty free list. “I know of nothing more