BILL. CRUSHING DEFEAT OF THE FIRE TRADERS. TELLING SPEECH BY PREMIER.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XV, Issue 2294, 15 June 1888, Page 2

BILL. CRUSHING DEFEAT OF THE FIRE TRADERS. TELLING SPEECH BY PREMIER.

The great debate of the session closed last night at about half-past eleven. The debate has continued since the second reading of the Customs Duties Bill was moved. The Premier made an excellent and effective reply to the Free Traders. This veteran politician skilfully exposed the fallacy in the argument used by the Free Traders, forcibly contending that they would never dare to propose a genuine Free Trade Policy, and merely battled over questions of degree, whether the duties should be fifteen or twenty per cent. He asked did they call that fighting for a principle? He hit the nail on the head by contending that, if a Free Trade Policy was conducive to wealth, there was a higher consideration than that the welfare and happiness of the greatest number of our own people. The division resulted in a crushing defeat to the Free Traders, and shows the change that has come over the country of late. Twenty-seven votea were given in favour of the Free Trade resolutions, and fifty against them, thus practically carrying the tariff proposals of the Stout- Vogel Govern* ment, and on which they lost their seats. This tariff could not have been, carried if the Opposition had not manfully adhered to* their election pledges, and assisted Sir Harry Atkinson to carry a measure, for which he denounced the late Government, and ejected them from office.

NATIVE POLICY. The Opposition intend to support Government in carrying their Native Policy into effect. Mr Kelly has been requested to call together the members interested in the native districts to discus? the present Bills before the House, and bring up what amendments or alterations they deem advisable to make them workable, and if possible satisfactory to both races.