Customs Regulations (Amendment) (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1923. No. 59.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE CUSTOMS ACT 1901-22.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting withthe advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Customs Act 1901-1922, to come into operation forthwith.

Dated this twenty-third day of May, 1923.

FORSTER,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

AUSTIN CHAPMAN,

Minister of State for Trade and Customs.

 

Amendment of the Customs Regulations.

(Statutory Rules 1921, No. 206, as amended by Statutory Rules 1922, Nos. 6 and 21, and as affected by Statutory Rules 1922, No. 24.)

Regulation 154 T of the Customs Regulations is repealed and the following regulations are inserted in its stead:—

“DRIED FRUITS.

Packing.

154 T. Dried fruit intended for export shall be packed in accordance with the following provisions:—

(a) Dried fruit (whether enclosed or not enclosed in immediate containers, such as closed tins, jars or cartons) shall be packed in clean, new cases constructed of well-seasoned softwood, or hardwood that has been smoothly sawn or dressed in an approved manner, strapped with metal strapping or wire, and, in the opinion of the Collector, sufficiently strong to withstand such handling as is ordinarily incidental to transport to destinations beyond the Commonwealth.

Provided that, where two or more cases each containing not more than 28 lbs. of dried fruit are securely strapped together with metal strapping or wire, such cases need not be separately strapped.

(b) Cases containing 56 lbs. of dried fruit shall, in addition to complying with the last preceding paragraph, have end boards not less than five-eighths (⅝) of an inch in thickness, and sides, tops and bottoms made of boards not less than five-sixteenths () of an inch in thickness when softwood is used. When constructed of hardwood the sides, tops and bottoms shall not be less than one-quarter (¼) of an inch in thickness.

C.5642.—Price 3d.

(c) Cases containing not more than 28 lbs. of dried fruit shall, in addition to complying with paragraph (a) of this regulation, have end boards not less than one-half (½) of an inch in thickness, with side boards not less than five-sixteenths () of an inch in thickness when softwood is used, and not less than one-quarter (¼) of an inch in thickness when hardwood is used; and the lids and bottoms shall be made of boards not less than one-quarter (¼) of an inch in thickness.

(d) Each case shall contain one kind of dried fruit only, and the minimum net contents of a case of dried fruit shall be in accordance with one or other of the quantities specified in the following table in respectof that kind of fruit:—

Kind of Fruit.	Quantities.
lbs.	lbs.	lbs.
Apples...................................	56	28	14
Apricots................................	28	14	7
Currants................................	56	28	14
Grapes, Dried........................	56	28	14
Lexias and elemes..................	56	28	14
Nectarines.............................	28	14	7
Peaches.................................	28	14	7
Pears.....................................	28	14	7
Prunes...................................	28	14	7
Sultanas.................................	56	28	14
Any other kind.......................	28	14	7

(e) Any marking applied to a container or case by means of a label or otherwise shall be applied in such a manner as, in the opinion of the Comptroller-General, will conduce to the attractive appearance of the package for purposes of commerce.

GRADE STANDARDS.

General Conditions.

154 U. Dried fruit intended for export (whether of a kind specifically mentioned in these Regulations or not) shall comply with the following provisions:—

(a) The fruit shall be prepared from sound, naturally-ripened fruit, and shall possess the flavour characteristic of its respective kind.

(b) The fruit shall be thoroughly cured and free from fermentation, mould, decay, and from undue stickiness arising from any cause whatsoever.

(c) The fruit shall be free from stalks, grit, insect refuse, and from any other matter foreign to the fruit.

(d) The outer layers or shown surfaces of the fruit shall be a true indication of the average grade of the contents of the case.

 

Additional Conditions.

Dried Apples.

154 V. (1) Dried apples intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicableto the description of the apples:—

(a) Dried apples describable as ‘Slices’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut, well bleached, and of a uniform colour. It must be effectively free from cores, seeds and peelings, and no case shall contain more than 25 per centum by weight of fragments.

(b) Dried apples describable as ‘Quarters’. Thefruit shall be cleanly cut, well bleached, and of a uniform colour. It must be effectively free from cores, seeds and peelings, and no case shall contain more than 25 per centum by weight of fragments.

(2) For the purpose of this Regulation, ‘fragments’ means pieces of dried apples of a size less than one-third (⅓) of an average slice or quarter.

Dried Apricots.

154. W. (1) Dried apricots intended for export shall be in accordancewith such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the apricots:—

(a) Dried apricots describable as ‘4 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and three-eighths (1⅜) inches in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly good apricot colour, and free from blemishes.

(b) Dried apricots describable as ‘3 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and one-eighth (1⅛) inches in diameter. Itshall also be of a uniformly good apricot colour, and free from blemishes.

(c)Dried apricots describable as ‘2 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seven-eighths (⅞) of an inch in diameter. It shall also be of an apricot colour and free from blackness and other discoloration.

(d) Dried apricots describable as ‘1 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as can be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seven-eighths (⅞) of an inch in diameter. It shall also be of an apricot colour, and free from blackness and other discoloration.

(e) Dried apricots describable as ‘Slabs’. The fruit shall consist of ripe fruit of any size which is not adapted for inclusion in any of the preceding grades, but shall not include whole-dried, or unpitted fruits. The fruit shall

also be of a distinct apricot colour, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, but need not be of any definite shape, form or thickness.

(2) Apricots which have been dried whole, and still contain pits or stones shall not be exported unless they conform to either of the standards set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation.

Currants.

154 X. Currants intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the currants:—

(a) Currants describable as ‘3 Crown’. The currants shall consist of dark-coloured, seedless fruits, which still retain their natural lustre and bloom, and are free from shotty and pin-head specimens. They shall be of good texture and flavour. No case shall contain more than 10 per centum by number of red and unripe currants.

(b) Currants describable as ‘2 Crown’. The currants shall consist of dark-coloured, seedless fruits of good flavour, and shall be free from shotty and pinhead specimens. No case shall contain more than 25 per centum by number of red and unripe currants.

Grapes, Dried.

154 Y. (1) Dried grapes intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the dried grapes:—

(a) Dried grapes describable as ‘No. 1 Dried Grapes’. The fruit shall be of any size of a good amber colour.

(b) Dried grapes describable as ‘No. 2 Dried Grapes’. The fruit shall be of any colour natural thereto, and of any size, but no case shall contain any blackened or crushed fruits.

(2) The term ‘Dried Grapes’ means dried fruits produced from any variety of grape other than Zante Currant, Sultana, Waltham Cross and White Muscatels.

Lexias and Elemes.

154 Z. (1) The term “Lexias” shall apply to dried fruits produced solely from the White Muscatel grapes.

(2) The term ‘Elemes’ shall apply to dried fruits produced solely from the Waltham Cross grape.

(3) Lexias and elemes intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the fruit:—

(a)Lexias and elemes describable as ‘5 Crown’. The fruit shall be of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seventeen-thirty seconds (17-32) of an inch in diameter. They shall be of a firm, full texture, rich flavour, and a uniformly bright golden colour. Clear brown berries may be included to the extent of not more than 10 per centum by number in any case.

(b) Lexias and elemes describable as ‘4 Crown’. The fruit shall be of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seventeen-thirty seconds (17-32) of an inch in diameter. They shall be of a uniformly brown colour, firm texture, and full, sweet flavour. Dark, sound berries may be included to the extent of not more than 10 per centum by number in any case.

(c)Lexias and elemes describable as ‘3 Crown’. The fruit shall be of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seventeen-thirty seconds (17-32) of an inch in diameter. They shall consist of brown-coloured fruits of good flavour.

(d)Lexias and elemes describable as ‘2 Crown’. The fruit shall be of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure thirteen-thirty seconds (13-32) of an inch in diameter. They may be of any colour or flavour natural to the fruit, but blackened or otherwise badly discoloured fruits shall not be included in any case.

Dried Nectarines.

154 AA. Dried nectarines intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the nectarines:—

(a)Dried nectarines describable as ‘4 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and three-eighths (1⅜) inches in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly clear colour natural to the variety, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

(b) Dried nectarines describable as ‘3 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and one-eighth (1⅛) inches in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly clear colour natural to the variety, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

(c) Dried nectarines describable as ‘2 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seven-eighths (⅞) of an inch in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly clear colour natural to the variety, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

(d) Dried nectarines describable as ‘1 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as can be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure seven-eighths (⅞) of an inch in diameter. It may be of a slightly duller colour than the fruit describable as ‘4 Crown’, ‘3 Crown’, or ‘2 Crown’, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

 

Dried Peaches.

154 AB. Dried peaches intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as if applicableto the description of the peaches:—

(a) Dried peaches describable as ‘4 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure two (2) inches in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly clear colour natural to the variety, and shall be free from blemishes and from blackness, and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

(b)Dried peaches describable as ‘3 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and three-quarter (1¾) inches in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly clear colour natural to the variety, and shall be free from blemishes and from blackness, and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

(c) Dried peaches describable as ‘2 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and a half (1½) inches in diameter. It shall also be of a uniformly clear colour natural to the variety, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

(d)Dried peaches describable as ‘1 Crown’. The fruit shall be cleanly cut and of such a size as cannot be passed through a sieve the circular meshes of which measure one and a half (1½) inches in diameter. It may also be of a slightly duller colour than the fruit describable as ‘4 Crown’, ‘3 Crown’, or ‘2 Crown’, and shall be free from blackness and other discoloration, and from pits or seed shells.

Dried Pears.

154 AC. Dried pears intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the pears:—

(a)Dried pears describable as ‘4 Crown’. The fruit shall consist of the cleanly cut, complete halves of pear fruits which have been divided longitudinally. It shall be of large size for the variety, and of superior quality and texture, and a uniformly clear colour.

(b)Dried pears describable as ‘3 Crown’. The fruit shall consist of the cleanly cut complete halves of pear fruits which have been divided longitudinally. It shall be of fair average size for the variety, and of good quality and full texture, and a uniformly clear colour.

(c) Dried pears describable as ‘2 Crown’. The fruit shall consist of the cleanly cut complete halves of pear fruits which have been divided longitudinally. It shall be of good quality and texture, and shall not contain any blackened or otherwise discoloured fruits.

 

Prunes.

154 AD. (1) The term ‘Prune’ shall apply to the following varieties only:—

D’Agen,

Robe de Sargent,

Splendor,

Old French,

Fellemberg,

Imperial, and

Sugar.

(2) Prunes intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the prunes:—

(a) Prunes describable as ‘3 Crown’. They shall be of such size that not more than seventy prunes shall comprise one pound weight avoirdupois. The fruit shall be of a uniformly good, dark colour.

(b) Prunes describable as ‘2 Crown’. They shall be of such size that not less than seventy nor more than ninety prunes shall comprise one pound weight avoirdupois. The fruit shall be of a uniformly good, dark colour.

(c)Prunes describable as ‘1 Crown’. They shall be of such size that not less than ninety fruits shall comprise one pound weight avoirdupois. The fruit shall be of a uniformly good, dark colour.

Sultanas.

154 AE. Sultanas intended for export shall be in accordance with such one of the following sets of conditions as is applicable to the description of the sultanas:—

(a) Sultanas describable as ‘3 Crown’. The sultanas shall consist of bright-skinned fruit of any size of good amber colour, high quality, good flavour, and free pliable texture. No case shall contain more than 10 per centum by number of deep-brown berries, nor contain any blackened or crushed fruits.

(b) Sultanas describable as ‘2 Crown’. The sultanas shall consist of fruits of any size of good flavour and texture. They may be of any colour natural to the fruit. No case shall contain any blackened or crushed fruits.

(c) Sultanas describable as ‘1 Crown’. The sultanas shall consist of fruits of any size of good flavour and texture. They may be of any colour natural to the fruit.

Penalties.

154 A F. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Fifty pounds (£50).”

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.