11.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the action of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia in levying a duty of is. 3d. per copy upon a certain number of catalogues sent from a British firm to Australia; whether this is the only Government that places a tax on British trade catalogues; and whether he is prepared to take any action in this matter?
Trade catalogues have been dutiable on importation into Australia for a long time past, and the same is true of most other British Dominions and foreign countries. I see no ground for taking action in the matter. The actual duty levied under the British preferential tariff in Australia is 8d. per lb., or 35 per cent.ad valorem, whichever be greater.
Can the right hon. Gentleman give the name of any other Dominion that imposes this duty?
Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question on the Paper.