§ 17. Captain STRICKLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that New Zealand imposes a customs duty and a sales tax on catalogues and advertising literature sent from this country to that Dominion with the object of promoting sales of British goods; and whether he proposes to make representations for the removal of that impost or to place a similar tax on trade circulars, etc., sent to this country from New Zealand?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo customs duty is levied in New Zealand on trade catalogues and price lists of the goods of firms or persons having no established business in that Dominion. Other classes of advertising matter are subject to customs duty. All advertising matter is subject to a sales tax which, however, applies to goods produced in New Zealand as well as to imported goods. Representations were received last year from a number of trade organisations in this country in favour of the admission free of duty, throughout the Empire, of British printed advertising matter which is distributed free. The matter has been brought to the notice of the Government of New Zealand who are considering it.
§ Captain STRICKLANDWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of imposing similar taxes on advertising material coming into the country from such Dominions as impose a charge against us?
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether it is not a fact that 166 New Zealand has always been most willing and ready to give us every possible facility to sell our goods?