389
lului
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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cargo to another within the legal delay; (b) unless they carry only passengers with their luggage, animals, parcels, agricultural or manufactured products of easy deterioration and coined values.
No duty is levied on stores consumed by foreign vessels whilst in Brazilian waters, though precautions are taken (by the presence of Customs officers, &c.) to see that none are landed.
It appears, therefore, that Russia and Brazil confine their coasting trade (which appears, in the latter case at any rate, to be a term applying only to cargo-boats) tu their own vessels. Portugal does the same in principle, though, as a matter of con- venience, it has thrown open some of the Colonial trade to foreign vessels. Other countries allow foreign vessels to participate in their coasting trade, usually on condition of reciprocity. No country imposes duties on ships' stores.
(9.) Portugal.
The coasting trade (including trade between the mother country and the Colonies) is, with some exceptions, confined to national vessels.
June 17, 1902.
9301 02
SIR,
5
(a.) United Kingdom.
BOARD OF CUSTOMS TO COLONIAL OFFICE.
Custom House, London,
5th March 1902. WITH reference to Mr. Bertram Cox's letter of the 14th instant, No. F.O./3345/1902, transmitting a copy of the Australian Customs Act, 1901, and inquiring whether in respect to the imposition of duties on ships' stores as defined in the said Act there is any analogous arrangement in force in the United Kingdom, and any example can be given of similar regulations imposed by foreign countries, whether I am directed by the Board of Customs to transmit berewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of the report of the Board's Solicitor on the subject in question, in which report they concur.
"
I have also to enclose a copy of Memoranda on some branches of Customs Work,"* on pages 54 to 57 of which will be found a brief summary of the Customs practice as to stores.
I am to observe that the standing instructions to officers of the Department in the matter are contained in Customs General Orders 93/1894+ and 59/1887,* copies of which are enclosed for the information of the Secretary of State. Paragraph 3 of the former Order shows the practice followed in regard to vessels, whether British or foreign, whilst in British waters, but the Board have no information as to the regula- tions in force in foreign countries in respect of dutiable stores.
I am to add that the Board cannot refrain from expressing their sense of the excellence of the scheme of the Act in question, which in its arrangement and drafting is, in their opinion, a model of a Customs Act,
I am, &c.,
R. HENDERSON.
PUBLE RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Reference :-
C.O. 885
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
SOLICITOR'S REPORT,
With regard to Mr. Bertram Cox's particular inquiry, I do not think there is anything contrary to international law in the sections to which he refers.
If, however, I read section 127 aright, it is a little more strict than the Imperial law in the particular points.
It seems to enact that "ships' stores," from any part of the world, and so from
passengera foreign countries and on foreign ships, shall not be used, even "for the
and crew and "for the service of the ship," while in Australian waters. This is, in strictness, the law in British waters; but, as the Board are aware, a permissive use of stores on board ships only resting temporarily in the waters has long been permitted, commencing as to Colonial, and extended to foreign vessels. The practice, indeed, may almost be said to have established a right.
I should, however, imagine that every country freely constituted, and entitled to make its own fiscal laws, has the right to say whether a ship " commorant" in its waters shall or shall not consume goods duty free; and that there is no international obligation in the matter.
C. J. FOLLETT.
20th February 1902.
mon doua ben ‚ețide mall. sẽf of lustoitlent si kam qui
gure lot el pollyon
pauka tiga pline Tulutu drej la
Venution wolle dit- 28pool nusa edi us
194to lla
• Not reprinted.
† Extract only reprinted. A 8