TARIFF BILL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17321, 6 December 1921, Page 7

TARIFF BILL.

FURTHER PROGRESS IN HOUSE. /.yyiIDGED PRfiSS ASSOCIATION TELEOKAM.) AVEIXIXGTON, December 5. In tho Hsiise of Representatives tdnifjit consideration of the schedules of tIC Tariff Till was resumed At the item in class 7 "glass, crown, sheet lonimon window, etc,'' On the Ministers motion tho funeral tariff was reduced from 20 to 10 per cent. Mr Hoiland wanted clocks, timeretnsters, and time-directors put on the free list but on a division he was beaten by 3 ! J v>te.< to 10. Mr McCuiiibs challenged the proposed riutv oh watci.L'-. which he wanted placed on the free iist. The motion was debated by 42 (votes to 9. Mr I'iny calicd for a division on fancy goods, toys, etc, which resulted in the duty being retained by 44 votes 'to Considerable discussion took place on ,he item ''precious stones, cut or uncut, if unmounted, free, ' the Labour Party protesting that it was absurd to let precious stones in while the people's tea was tnxed. The Minister explained that the Department considered it would be im- ■ possible to collect dutv on precious stones, because collection would be so easily evaded, without unpleasant inquisitorial search, which no one wanted. Tk- Department therefore came to the conclusion that it would be better not to impose any duty, rather than reduce its collection to a farce. Mr McCombs moved to strike the item out, as an indication that some dutv should be imposed. Lost bv 30 votes to 26. Mr Mii.chi.il moved that British preferential duty on "mouldings in the piece, etc" bo reduced from 20 to 10 per cent. Mouldings were being made in England, and preference should be given to Britain against Germany. The motion was defeated by 34 votes to 23Mr'Statham raised the question of admitting Instruments used by brass bands free. . The Prime Minister said the proposal was a dangerous one and would rob the country of a great deal of revenue, if agreed to. , Mr Holland and Mr McCombs contended that musio was an art and ' sjiotild not be taxed at all. " finally tho Minister agreed to hold the matter over, with a view to seeing whether som e safe line of demarcation between instruments wnich should pay and those which should be free, could bft devised. This course was agreed to. Mr Holland moved that phofldgraphs. gramophones, etc., he free under all headings, contending that gramophones provided the musio for people residing m the bush*. The amendment was lost by 44 rotes td 12. In Class &—paper and stationery—the Minister moved the following new proposal in connexion with paper used for wrapping fruit. Paper of qualities aporoved by the Minister, entered and declared td He for use of Orehardists in f/MVrapping' fruit, British preferential 5S per cwtoi* 20 ne? cent, ad valorem, whichever rate returns the higher duty; intermediate 7s 6d per cwt, or 20 per cent, ad valorem whichever rate returns the higher duty; general 8s 9d per cwt or 35 per cent, ad valorem, whichever rite returns the higher duty. The Minister explained that these duties would remain in suspension until it conM bo shown to the satisfaction of the Department of Agriculture that paper for wrapping fruit, equal to the best imported quality, could be sold in New, Zealand J &t reasonable prices,, and in sufficient quantity. Seasonable trice should be deemed to be a price net exceeding the current domestio faille of good quality for orehardists' use, plus freight, insurance and all charges landed in New Zealand, when imported from either British Donimio»s, Europe or America, as the Department of Agriculture might elect, and plu-t not mdre than 10 per cent. tVhen it was proposed to enfdrce the shsftended duty, it would be done by Order-in-Cotmdil. These proposals were agreed to ana the remainder of the class was passed without amendment. ■■'! The House rose at 10.40 p.m.