TOBACCONISTS' GRIEVANCES.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10214, 9 December 1898, Page 3

TOBACCONISTS' GRIEVANCES.

THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES.'

A well attended and representative meeting of the tobacconists of Christchurch was held in the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, when they laid before the Christchurch members of the House of Representatives their grievances in connection with the interdict lai_ by the Government on the use of the hand appliance known as "La Franc-ise" patent, for the manufacture of cigarettes. Some twenty tobacconists were present, as well as Messrs C. Lewis, G. J. Smith. W. W. Tanner, M&H.R., J. A. Frostick, representing the Industrial Association, H. G. Ell, Progressive Liberal Association, and A. H. Turnbull, Chamber of Commerce-.

Mr A. Francis.explained that since the meeting had been called the position of affairs had undergone some alteration, but it was still necessar*- to, obtain the sympathy and assistance of their members.

Mr W. W. Tanner said he had sent a telegram to the Premier to the effect that there was • discontent maiufe_t-among the tobacconists in Christchurch re the decision to class the appliances for the manufacture of cigarettes, known as "La Francaise" appliance, as machines; that the statement that it was not an appliance was combatted and that any evidence to the contrary must be very convincing. In answer to that he had received a telegram from the Premier as follows: —"Telegram of 25th received. The Government have given the matter their consideration, and decided to extend the time with a vie;v of giving an opportunity ' to those who question the Commis-toner's decision to have it tested.—-R. J. Seddon." Later he had another telegram from the Government as follows: —"The Government has decided to extend the time within which 'La Francaise' cigarettes may be manufactured outside bond until the 31st of June, by which time it will be ascertained what the maximum number of cigarettes made is, and manufacturers will have an opportunity of testing the validity of the decision of the Government in declaring them machines within the meaning of the Act.—R. J. Seddon:" i<y lt seemed to him that the Government simply desired to test whether the statements made about the appliance were borne out by actual facts. »

Mr Francis said what they required was nob- a reprieve of that character, but a decision that they could.make the cigarettes out of bond. They felt. that after paying 3s 6d in the lb duty on cigarette tobacco, if their customers desired locally-made cigarettes they should be in a position to supply them. A year ago the Commissioner and Secretory of Customs had decided that the appliance was not a machine, and if it was an injustice then that its use should be stopped, it would be much more of an injustice now that numbers of them had purchased the appliances and paraphernalia,.to have this embargo sprung upon them. He pointed out that the manufacture of cigarettes by the appliance did not interfere with i-he imported ar.icle, the consumption of which was steadily increasing. The Government was sup-oosed to encourage colonial industry, and he did not see why they should be made an exception of. The makers of boxes, wrappers and labels would be also affected. ,

In reply, to Mr-"Smith as to why the Governmenthad reversed' their decision of 1897 in the matter, Mr E. W. Pidgeon, representing the importers pf the appliance, said representations had been made by trade competitors oh the strength of a trade circular issued by the makers of the appliance, that the quantity of cigarettes which could be turned out was more than had been repre? sented when the Department had decided that the appliances were not machines. He had interviewed _he Department on the matter, and could only come to the conclusion that they were considering tlie excise duty. When the Tobacco Excise Duties Act was framed cigarettes were allowed to be made by machinery. Since then an amendment had been passed making it illegal, except in bond, on account of a large machine having .been bygone th^^hicKmade^t possible for" large numbers oY'-mgarette^*fe factored:with''a minimum of labour. No more cigarettes could by the-La Francaise process than'by hand. Tobacconists in Wellington had assured him that from 2000 to .4000 a day could be made by hand, while he had statutory declarations from the local tradesmen who used* the machine that it had not turned but more than from 800 to, 1200 a day. Mr Lewis said with regard to the misrepresentation which the Department alleged, the Act provided that every tobacconist should keep an iaccurate-register of his output, and he had suggested to the Premier that that was a reasonable way of arriving at the capacity of the appliance, but the Department had fought shy of that. He had asked them either to beUeve-"the statutory declara; ti oris or to prosecute the men who had made them for perjury, but; they fought shy of that, to 6. When,he said it was an appliance the said itwwars r a machine, and when he tried to prove it was not a they, said, "Well," it's faster than the hand process," and would not argue. He would like/to know who. was going to, hold tne test, if there was one, and on what lines it would be conducted. ; Mr Smith thought the test that was meant was a Supreme Court action. , After a discussion oh the best .way to approach the Department, Mr Tanner suggested that they should ask the Premier the meaning pf his telegram, whether he intended the extension.. of time as an opportunity for a Supreme Court action to be taken meanwhile, or whether he had granted an extension until the House sat, so that it might be considered there, or whether it was with a view of, making inquiries regarding the capacity of the machine. .'■••..

Mr EG. Ell pointed out that, the appliances were increasing not displacing labour. They made better cigarettes, aha were within the. reach of the small tobacconist. The Government could, if they desired, consult the records kept-by the Customs and ascertain whether labour was being displaced oiSnot. If the appliances were stopped,, the imported machine-made article took the place oJ the locally hand-made one. Mr Francis said it would simply mean taking part of his living away if these appliances were prohibited. Mr Smith suggested that a deputation should wait on the Premier on his way through Christchurch about the matter. ; Mr Roberts suggested that the Premier should be asked to suspend the operation of the regulations until the, House had had an opportunity of dealing with the matter, and also state "whether the House would have that opportunity. *

Mr Tanner said if a resolution to that effect, was passed he would have pleasure in for-*; warding it to-the Premier, and endorsing it. The suggestion was then embodied in a resolution and passed.

The other members present promised their hearty support to the tobacconists in the matter, and with customary votes of thanks the meeting adjourned.