Congressional Edition Volume 2177 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt: ...heretofore bacon and hams were admitted free, but now a duty of 2 pence (4 cents) per pound is charged upon them. It is thought that this tax will drive American hams and bacon from the market. The New Zealand hams and bacon are of fair quality, but they do not begin to compare in excellence and flavor with those from the United States. Indeed, American pork is so much liked here that some time will elapse before New Zealand merchants will cease to import it. The bogs raised in the provinces of Canterbury and Otago are corn fed, which, ot course, improves the quality of New Zealand pork, but the art of curing hams and bacon is not yet fully understood in this colony. The best New Zealand hams that have come under my observation were cured by I. T. Green and 1. Gilmor & Co. Their wholesale price is from Gd. to 7$d. (13 to 15 cents) per pound. This is fully 8 cents per pound lower than the American hams. Jams and jellies.--An extra duty of 1J pence (3 cents) per pound has been levied on jams, jellies, and marmalade. It is believed that this was done to encourage fruit-growing and the manufacture of jams and jellies. Maize--Maize is also heavily taxed; the duty charged on that article now is 9 pence (18 cents) per 100 pounds, equal to about 10 cents per bushel. This tax is hailed with great satisfaction by the settlers of Opotiki and the east coast, and some argue that the duty should be doubled and trebled, so as to place importers at a still greater disadvantage. Fancy and scented soaps.--Amougst the articles which appear to be strougly protected are fancy and scented soips. The duty on them was formerly 15 per cent, ad valorem, but it has been raised to 25 per cent, ad valorem. Several firms have been engaged for many years in manufacturing toilet soaps...