TOBACCONISTS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 6

TOBACCONISTS' ASSOCIATION.

DEPUTATION TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. Twelve members of the Christchurch Tobacconists' Association waited en Messrs C. Lewis, G. J. Smith, T. E. Taylor, and W. W. Tanner, M.H.R.'s, at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr Dαvies said they did not object to the duty or license fee on tobacco machines, bat objected to paying tlnty on unaut tobacco to the extent of 3s 6d while cut tobacco came in at the same price. By having to pay duty on their inachiues they were only working into the hands of one Company in America. They did not object to the 5s fee in itself, bnt there was a chance of the registration fee being increased to any extent. Ho had to pay 6s on a small hand machine put into the front shop for the Hole use of the public. He could not understand why cut tobacco should be introduced into the country at the same duty as cake tobacco. Mr Roberts referrod to the inconsistency of shops in the city having to close while others, only a short distance outside, were allowed to remain open. He suggested a consolidated Act to bring all under the same jurisdiction. Mr Est,tck said his firm had a small hand appliance for the manufacture of cigarettes. The instrument had been used by his firm since its purchase in a duly licensed factory, wbere they had an operative engaged in turning out high-class hand-made cigarettes. Hβ had been informed that he had no right to make these goods, as the Tobacco Amendment Act, 1896, absolutely precluded the manufacture of cigarettes by machinery except in bond. He contended that hie appliance could not be claseed ac " machinery" seeing that it was merely an aid in the production of a cigarette virtually made by band. As ho had observed all the rules and regulations Stipulated in the Tobacco Act regarding the manufacture of cigarettes, and had gone to considerable expense in connection with it, he bad naturally not desisted from makiDg these cigarettes. The stipulations referred to embraced—(l) The payment of an annual "fee and a special warrant from the Customs Department, granting the firm a license to "make cigarettes by band ; (2) the keeping .of a record of all such goods made, while the cigarettes were made from tobacco on which the customary duty of 3s 6d per lb had been paid. He could understand that the Tobacco Amendment Act of 1896 had a special eye to the fact that the introduction of large patent cigarette machines capable of turning out 80,000 cigarettes per day greatly miuimised the utilisation of )abour. In his case, however, more labour would be used in the manufacture of cigarettes. Mr Smith said that the fee was aimed at the machine owned by the Auckland Tobacco Factory. Mr Taylor said the degree of work done by the machine would not affect the matter very mfach. Another matter brought up was the selling of cigars and cigarettes in bars on Thursdays. Some time ago the Hon. W. P. Reeves had promised to see to it. The trade was diverted not only on Thursdays but on other days of the week by this selling in hotels.

Mr Taylor said that the hotelkeepers should be obliged either to desist from sell* ing cigars at all or to oloae on Thursdays. Mr Walker said they thought that the day for the half-holiday should be universal ana should be fixed by the ruling body. Hβ was against each shopkeeper picking any day for olosing that he choae. Mr Francis, on behalf of the Association, then thanked the members for their attendance, and the latter promised to bear in mind the matters discussed and bring tbein before the House.