FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1974
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STORAGE OF METHYL ALCOHOL BY LIQUOR TRADE.
TO BE PROHIBITED
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AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED TO EXEMPT TABLE WATERS AND METHYL ALCOHOL FROM THE LIST OF DUTIABLE GOODS.
THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES CAMENDMENTO BILL 1974, PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION, PROHIBITS THE STORAGE OF METHYL ALCOHOL IN THE PREMISES OF LICENSED DISTILLERS, IMPORTERS, DEALERS OR RETAILERS OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT METHYL ALCOHOL IS A POISONOUS SUBSTANCE WHICH CANNOT BE DISTINGUISHED FROM POTABLE ETHYL ALCOHOL BY SIGHT, SMELL OR TASTE, AND COMMON SENSE SHOWED THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE STORED BY PERSONS IN THE LIQUOR TRADE.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT DUTY ON TABLE WATERS WAS ABOLISHED ON APRIL 1, 1973.
ANOTHER CLAUSE OF THE BILL EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TO EXERCISE & DISCRETION IN REGARD TO THE STORAGE PLACE OF DUTIABLE GOODS TAKEN ON BOARD SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT AS STORES. UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE THE STORAGE OF DUTIABLE GOODS ON THE VESSELS IS RESTRICTED TO A DESIGNATED PLACE, AND THE AMENDMENT IS BEING MADE IN VIEW OF THE SHORTAGE OF SPACE ON BOARD.
ANOTHER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AT PRESENT TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THIS RESPECT IS TO IMPRINT THE LETTERS +HKDNP+ CHONG KONG DUTY NOT PAIDD ONTO THE DUTIABLE GOODS IN STORES TO AVOID ANY DANGER OF THE GOODS, ESPECIALLY CIGARETTES OR LIQUOR BEING RELANDED AS DUTY-PAID GOODS AND BEING SOLD ON · THE DOMESTIC MARKETS.
THE BILL ALSO ENABLES FURTHER REGULATIONS TO BE MADE TO PROVIDE FOR EXEMPTIONS FROM AND REFUNDS OF DUTY ON GOODS WHERE DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR IMMUNITY APPLIES.
AT PRESENT, THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE PROVIDES ONLY FOR A REFUND OF DUTY IN THE CASE OF GOODS SUPPLIED BY A LOCAL MANUFACTURER.
THE BILL NOW SEEKS TO INCLUDE THE SUPPLY OF DUTY-FREE GOODS BY IMPORTERS, AND THE REFUND OF DUTY TO LICENSED DEALERS WHO SUPPLY DUTY-PAID GOODS TO CONSULAR OFFICERS.
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