THE TARIFF QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 270, 16 November 1887, Page 2

THE TARIFF QUESTION.

DEFEAT OF THE PROTECTIONISTS,

(by telegraph:.—special reporter.)

Wellington, this day. There was a trial of strength in tho House yesterday afternoon on the question whether or not tho tariff should undergo revision during tho present session. This was not really the question raised, but it was indirectly the one upon which the decision was taken, and theresultwasthattho protectionists who aro insisting upon the revision this session wero defeated by 11 votes. Tho question came up in this way. Ihe Petitions Committee reported on the petitions of Hopkins and 1,045 others, residents of Auckland, praying for a revision of the tariff this session, and recommended the question to tho consideration of the Government. _~,,, L Mr Moss thon moved, " That tho report be made a first order of tho day for Thursday evening." The effect of this would havo been to raise a debate on the whole question on Thursday, and Mr Moss contended that otherwise the matter would be sholved. Colonel Fraser seconded tho proposition, and a debate followed in the ordinary

course. Amongst those who took part wore Messrs Monk, Fish, Turnbull, Reeves, Tanner, Levistam, Goldie, Seddon and Bectham. . Mr Monk took occasion to explain the position of the Auckland members who had been acting in conjunction with tho protectionist. He, in conjunction with Messrs Thompson andColclio, took the initiative in calling the protectionists together, but he observed that the matter of revision of tho tariff was to bo used for other purposes, and that there was not sufficient time to securo a revision of the tariff. Though strongly in favour of help being afforded to local industries, he beliovocl it would be a more desirable course to adopt the Premier's promise that he . would frame the revised tariff during tho recess. Other speakers disclaimed any intention of making protection a party question, and Mr Rees made a humorous allusion to the fact that four Auckland members were always a stumbling-block. Allusion was also mado to tho fact that it was quite impossible to expect the Government to introduce a tariff that would give satisfaction when only two of their number were protectionists. Mr Goldie took advantage of tho opportunity to define his position, and stated that while he was returned to support protection ho also enme pledged to retrenchment, and to keep Sir Julius Vogcl out of power. Ho left tho meeting because ho feared that active hostility to the Government was contemplated. ' If Major Atkinson did not keep his pledge, ho would vote next session with tho protectionists to throw out the Government.

Mr T. Thompson made explanation to the same ofl'cct.

Mr Socldon introduced some excitement into tho discussion by accusing Mr Monk of being a talebearer, and carrying information from the protectionists' mooting to tho Premier before tho deputation could roach him, but Mr Monk arid Ministers indignantly denied tlio charge. Credit was given by ono speaker to Auckland for the frustration of a clover move on tho part of tho Opposition to turn tho Government out of office.

Mr Moss's amendment was then put and lost by 47 to 36. The following is tho division list:—

Ayes, 47:—Alien, Anderson, Atkinson, Barron, Beetham. Bruce, Carroll, Cowan, Dodson, Duncan, Fergus, Fisher, Goldie, Graham, Hamlin, Ilislop, Hobbs, Izard, Jackson, Lnwry, McKenzie (Mount Ida), McKonzio (Gluthaj, Marchatlt, .McGregor, Mitchelson, Moat, Monk, Newman, O'Conor, Ormond, Peacock, Pearson, Pyke, Rhodes, Richardson (Mataura), Ross, Russell, Samuel, Seymour, Taipua, Tanner, Thompson (Marsdon), Thompson (Auckland North), Valentino, \\ hyte, Wilson, Withy.

Noics, 36 :—Ballanco, Blake, Buxton, Cadman, Foldwick, Fish, Fitchctt, Fitzhorbert, Eraser, Grey, Grimmond, Hutchison, Jones, Joyce, Kelly, Kerr, Lanco, Larnach, Levestam, Loughroy, Moss, O'Callaghan, Parata, Reeves (Inangahua), Reeves (St. Albans), Richardson (Kdiapoi), Seddon, Smith, Steward, Stewart, Taylor, Taiwhanga, Turnbull, Vogel, Walker, Ward.

Pairs : For—Pcrcival, McKenzie, McGuinness. Against —Hall, Fulton, and Monteath.

Tho protectionists aro gratified at the result. Thoy say thoy have exhausted every means of having the question dealt with this session, bub that tho division proves that, with assistance of those protectionists who are now \-oting with the Government from party motives, they will havo sufficient numbers to secure a revision of tariff satisfactory to tho local industry interests next session.