EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12896, 30 August 1907, Page 9

EVENING SITTING.

Tho House resumed at 7.30 p.m. At Clause 19, which provides that when, in the opinion of the Collector of Customs, it is necessary to analyse any article for the purpose of ascertaining what duty it is liable to pay, the fee for analysis shall be such as the Minister of Customs may direct, and shall be paid by the importer. Mr AITKEN urged that the cost, or half of tho cost of the analysis, should be paid by the Customs Department. Mr MILLAR said the clause would not flffect honest importers, but it was intended to operate against importers who were reasonably suspected of systematically importing articles wrongly described. The clause was agreed to unaltered.

At Clause 21, which provides that tho Minister for Customs may classify any medicinal preparation or nrticle claimed to be such under any other heading of the tnriff, if in his judgment such preparation can bo easily rendered fit for use as a beverage, flavouring essence, toilet preparation, perfumed spirit, or as an article or spirituous ingredient in an article subject to a Hgher dnty than a medicinal preparation.

An amendment was made to bring medicated infants' food within the clause.

Mr GUINNESS proposed a new clause to provide for the prohibition of ornnmpnts of class and other articles in imitation of New Zealand greenstone from entry into Now Zealand, and in the event of any such articles reaching the colony, to bo forfeited. H<* pointed out thtn an article called "new greenstone," manufactured in Germany, was being largely importer? and competing with the native greenstone.

Mr MTLLAR said Mr Guinness was mistaken regarding the country of manufacture of this article. '"'Nev. greenstone" wa s made in Birmingham, and on the cards to which "new

gieenstone" was attached were inscribed words showing the articles wore imitations, and not the real article, lio had no objection to the proposed clause.

Mr FLATMAN said that many people could not afford to purchase genuine greenstone. On that account ho hoped the clause would not be carried.

Mr LAURENSON, whilst agreeing with the views put forth by Mr Guinness, thought it inadvisable to include such a clause in a Tariff Bill. The Minister had power under Clause 67 of the Act of l«J02, by order of the Governor in Council, to prohibit the importation of this article, and it would be better if the Minister, who now knew the feelings of the House, adoptod such order. The clause was read a second time on tho casting vote of tho chairman, but tho motion that tho clause be added to the Bill was negatived by 33 votes to 31, and the clause was thus struck out.

3lr GUINNESS moved ancther new clause that all packing caecs or boxes used for importing goods or articles upon which duty ie payable shall be admitted duty free. Mr MILLAR said the revenue now received , from this source was £14,000. On this ncoount he opposed the amendment.

The PREMIER said that if the duty wns taken off packing cases, the duty would have to no placed on some other article to make up the £14,000. Ho asked members what article it was proposal to substitute for packing oases. Mr McLACHLAN rose to speak, when tho Chairman called on Mr Wilford.

Mr McLACfILAN interjected t I was up first. I was >ip before Sir Joseph Ward. The CHAIRMAN again called upon •Mr Wilford, and ordered Mr McLaohlan to resume his eont.

Mr McLACHLAN said he would "bow to arbitrary rulo, but it was not honest."

Tho CHAIRMAN called on Mr MoLachlan to withdraw, but he said he would not do so, but would leave the House.

Tho CHAIRMAN called on tho Leadp-r of tho House, and Fir Joseph Ward said the authority of the Chairman must l>e maintained.

Mr MoLACHLAN then withdrew the remark complninod of.

Mr WILFORD explained that the trouble aroso through Mr McLachlan not being able to soe him (Mr Wilford) rise, ac he was behind Mr McLachlan. Mr Wilford said ho would not oppose 'the Government's tariff, as they had made mich a large reduction in tnxation.

Mr McLACHLAN contended that the Government had made a mess of things in taking tho duty off sugar and removing tho sheep tax. The CHAIRMAN ruled Mr McLachlnn out of order, ns the sheep tax was not before tho House.

Mr McLACHLAN said he would support the amendment.

The PREMIER said the Government were making concessions totalling £280,000 to £300,000, and if reductions were carried totalling £14,000, cc now proposed, it would be the duty or tho Government to make further alterations, making up that deficiency. Mr MASSEY said if the Government were going to use its majority to prevent reductions being made, or any amendment made in a Bill, the sooner Parliament wen? home and left the Government to manage tho affairs 'of tho colony tho better for all con>cerned.

The PREMIER said the Government knew their responsibilities, and accepted them. The Government were responsible for the tariff and the finances of the colony, and not the Leader Sot , the Opposition. Supposing this proposal and other reductions were carried, it would be the duty of the government to withdraw the tariff. It the Government found that they were boing carried into an unsafe position, they would not accept that position, «n m if it was brought about by their friends.

The second reading of the proposed new clause was negatived by 51 votes to 14.

The Committee then proceeded to oensidor Schedule A of the Bill.

On the first ftem —foods and .articles for human consumption—Mr AITKEN moved that the duty on fish, potted nnrt preserved, be reduced from 2d to ljd per lb. This was negatived by 45 votes to 22. Progress wns tlien reported, and the House rose at mulnight.