194 REPORT—1905. 
of shipment. At the same time it may be remarked that, while par- 
ticularisation and differentiation have been extended in the colonial 
Customs lists, this movement has, owing to the comparative similarity of 
colonial tariffs, assisted in approximating to one another the classifications 
of the several colonies. It may be said that there has been considerable 
progress towards uniformity within several of the natural local groups and 
federations, and this is a condition anterior to the larger consolidation 
which would be realised by a common classification, system of registration, 
valuation, &c., for the Empire. 
The Committee are informed of the following changes :— 
South Africa.—In Cape Colony— 
(1) Prior to 1885, 10 per cent. was added to all declared values for 
statistical and Customs purposes. The amount added was then reduced 
to 5 per cent. This was removed for Customs purposes in 1898, but 
remained for statistical purposes till June 30, 1905, since which date 
nothing has been added to declared values. 
(2) Up to the year 1898 the declared value was taken to be that at 
the port of shipment, whereas since that year the value is that of the. 
place of purchase, and does not include the cost of bringing to the port 
of shipment. 
(3) From the year 1889 the destination of imported goods has been 
recorded. 
(4) Up to 1903 the country of origin was recorded as given by the 
importer without any steps being taken to ascertain its correctness. Since 
1903 a certificate of origin has been required. 
In Natal— 
(1) Up till January 1899 the values were the actual cost at the place 
of shipment plus 5 per cent., whereas the present system gives for 
statistical purposes, to the nearest 1/., the value in the open market at 
the place of purchase, including the cost of packing and packages, but 
not including agent’s commission unless it exceeds 5 per cent., with no 
addition. 
(2) In 1901 the statistical heads of imports were considerably 
elaborated. Prior to that date the main heads contained the values of 
many articles since separately shown. 
(3) Similarly, as elsewhere in the Customs Union since 1903, the. 
certificate of origin is now required with regard to dutiable goods. 
There has now (from July 1, 1905) been established a South African. 
Customs Statistical Bureau in Cape Town whose business is to collect 
and publish the statistics of South African external trade, and also of the 
internal trade between the five colonies, and to act as a clearing-house 
for the allocation of the receipts of duties among the colonies. This 
will tend to bring the statistics of all the colonies up to a uniform 
standard, and will improve their accuracy and comparability. In doing 
this there will necessarily be changes in methods and in classification. 
The alteration begins in the middle of the year. Great care will be 
necessary in comparing statistics before and after this date, and it is to 
be hoped that full and explicit explanations of all changes will be given 
in the forthcoming publications. 
Australia.—The establishment of the Australian Commonwealth in 1901 
has led to an even closer co-ordination of the Customs than in South Africa. 
