Thursday, June 19, 1851.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume VI, Issue 429, 8 August 1851, Page 3

Thursday, June 19, 1851.

On the motion of Mr. Hickson the Conncil went into committee on Customs Bill, when the additions to the schedule proposed by the Collector of Customs were considered. On a duty of 7s. per cwt. on printing paper being proposed, Sir George drey stated an application had been made to the Government by the Missionary bodies for the admission of printing paper duty free. Large quantities of paper were used by them in printing books in the native language for missionary purposes, and on one occasion as much as £60 had been paid by them in duty. It was therefore deserving the consideration of the Council whether printing paper ought not to be admitted free of duty. From the exertions that were making by the Missionary bodies, New Zealand was becoming the centre of their operations, 'and this was a tax on the diffusion of knowledge affecting the highest interests of the human race. He thought every encouragement should be given to New Zealand being made the centre of Missionary operations, and to render it the metropolis of the islands of the South Seas. The several items having been gonethrough, the Bill was ordered to be printed and recommitted. A discussion arose on a motion by Mr. Hickson that flour, wheat, meal and bread stuffs be admitted duty free. The hon. member pressed his motion on the ground of the recent increase of the duty on spirits, which would more than compensate for the deficiency occasioned by the remission of duty, and on the advance in flour .which would take place in the neighbouring colonies, on which we were dependent fdr supplies, consequent on the discovery of gold in New South Wales. Mr. Cautley proposed as an amendment , that the duty be remitted for one year. Council divided. For the amendment 9, it 4. Amendment carried. Mr. Hickson's motion for the permanent abolition of the duty was then put, when there were for the motion 6, against it 8, : motion lost. > A motion was made by the honorable C. Dillon to increase the duty on wine to 3s. per gallon in casks, and to Bs. ' per doz. of two gallons. The committee divided. For the amendißent--^ against it 10, amendment lost. Committee then adjourned.