COMMONWEALTH TARIFF.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 20, 18 October 1907, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH TARIFF.

LIVE STOCK TRADE. 1 : S DUTIES AGAINST NEW ZEALAND, BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPTBIGHT. Melbourne, October 17. The Federal House passed the sugar duties. At the instance of the Labour party, Sir : William Lyne, the Treasurer, abandoned the proposed duties on molasses and golden syrup. During the discussion the statement was made that nearly eight thousand coloured people were still employed in the sugar industry in Australia. ; Dealing with the duties on living animals, Sir William Lyne said the trade of the'competing States in the supplying of Tasmania with food was threatened from New Zealand, owing to a new lino of steamers being established.. They should keep tho market to themselves. : He was endeavouring to arrange a preferential tariff with Now Zealand, and when preference was agreed upon the removal of these duties might bo offered as a concession. Several attempts have been mado to arrange some satisfactory trade relations with the States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The last provisional agreement was entered, into between the lato Premier of New Zealand and the Prime Minister of tho Commonwealth: last year, but Mr. Seddon died a few hours after .this agreement was signed. When the matter was submitted to the New Zealand Parliament there was no hesitation on the part'of members in refusing to confirm the agreement. Better results may bo achioved on this occasion, but it is difficult to see wherein preference will/ benefit New Zealand when , the t climatic conditions are favourable in Australia. . •