THE TARIFF.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 66, 14 September 1895, Page 4

THE TARIFF.

THE REVISED YEESION. A LIVELY DEBATE. On the Honao meeting at 7.30 p.m yesterday, the new resolutions for the Tariff were brought down by tho Colonial Treasurer as follows :— • Resolved, That in lieu of the duties of Customs imposed by the Customs and Excise Duties Act, 1888, or by a resolution of this House passed on the 30th day of July, 1895, on the under-mentioned artiolos, the following duties shall, on and after the 14th day of September, 1895, bo charged thereon :— Chocolate confectionery, in fancy packages, or in small packages for retail sale, 20 per oent. ad valorem. Fruits, fresh, namely : •- Apples, pears, plums, cherries, poacheß, nectarines, medlars, apricots, quinces, tomatoos, Id the 1b ; oranges, guavaa, paßsion frnit, id the lb ; bananas, pineapples, id the lb. Coooanuts, id the lb. Tea (whether in bulk or packed ready for retail sale), 3d tie lb. Rioe and rice flour, 6s tho owt. Aoetio acid n.0.e., containing not more than 30 per cent, of aoidity, lfcd the lb ; for every additional 10 per cent, or fraction thereof of aoidity, id the lb. Tinotures and medioinal spirits— Duty imposed by resolution of the 30th July, 1895, to come into operation from and alter the 14th day of September, 1895. Photographic chemicals, including glacial acotio aoid, 20 per cent, ad valorem. Euoalyptus oil, in bulk or bottle, 20 per oent. ad valorem. Patent medicines, 40 per cent, ad valorem. Proprietary medicines or medicaments — (1) Bearing the name of the proprietor on label or paoknge; (2) beating a prefixed name in the possessive oaso ; (3) not other■nise enumerated, prepared by any occult aooret or art, 40 per cent, ad valorem. Apparel, made by British or foreign drees, mantle, or jacket makers, to tho order of residents in the colony, 40 per cent, ad valorem. Ribbon and orape, all kinds, 25 per cent, ail valorem. Cotton-piece goods, namely— Velveteenß ai d plushes, all kinds ; sateens, linenettes, c:epons, orimps, zephyrs, ginghams, turkey ttviDa, printed cottons, piques, vestingß, qoiliings and maroellas, nets, curtains, 20 par oent. ad valorem. Boots, shoes, and slippers, n.0.e., the invoice value of which does not exceed 5s per pair, 2a the pair and 25 per cent, ad valorem. Leather manufaotnres, n.0.e., 20 per cent, ad valorem. Saddlery and harness, whips and whipthongs, 20 per cent, ad valorem. PI te-glass, bevelled or silvered ; mirrors and -ooking-glasses, framed or unframed, 25 per cent, ad valorem. Jewellery; plate, gold or silver; greenstone, out or polished, 20 per cent, ad valorem. Mouldings in the pieoe, f,or pioture-frames, oornioes or ceilings, 15 per cent, ad valorem. Cash registering maohines, 10 per cent, ad valorem. Gasometers and other apparatus for producing gas, 10 per oent. ad valorem. Maohinery, electric, and appliances, 10 per oent. ad valorem. Fencing-wire, plain or barbed, Is the cwt. Oil, kerosene, 6d the gallon. Oil, linseed, Is 6d the gallon. Wax matches, " plain vestas," in cardboard boxes containing 100 matohes, Is 2d the gross of boxes. "Pocket vestas," in tin or other boxes containing under 100 matches, 1b 9d the gross of boxeß. " Spottsman'B," " ovals," and "No. 4 tin vestas," in boxes containing not more than 200 matohes, 5s the gross of boxes. Other kinds, for every 100. matches or fraction thereof contained in one box, 2s 6d the grosß of boxes. Resolved, That the duties of Customs now oharged on the undermentioned artioles shall oease and determine :— Shirtings, coloured cotton, in the piece. Shirtings, union, the invoice value of which does not exceed 6d the yard. Forfar, dowlaß, and flax sheeting, when out up under supervision of an officer of Customs in sizes not exceeding 47in by 36in for making flour bags. Copying paper, medium and double foolscap, in original wrappers and labels. Traction engines. Bent wheel rims. Binder twine. Marble, granite, and other stone not dressed or polished. Matoh boxes, cardboard. Resolved— That there shall be levied, collected, and paid to and for the use of Her Majesty, upon the undermentioned artioles made in any manufacturing warehouse appointed under section 26 of the Customs Laws Consolidation (Vot, 1882, and before delivery therefrom, the following duties of excise, on and after the 14th day of September, 1895 :— On perfumed spirits, £1 the liquid gallon. On toilet preparations which are snbjeot to * duty of 16a the liquid gallon on importation, 128 the liquid gallon. On toilet preparations which are subject to 25 per cent, ad valorem duty on importation, 6s the liquid gallon. On culinary and flavouring eßsenoes, 12s the liquid gallon. On pharmacopoeia tinctures, essences, extraots and medioinal spirits — Containing more than 50 per ctnt. of proof tpirit, 9d the lb ; containing less than 50 per cent, of proof spirit, 4Jd the lb. THI TARIFF. The House wont into Committee of Ways and Means, when The Colonial Treasurer said the amended proposals effeoted .£84,600 of inoreaßes and .£91,900 of decreases. On the former proposals the increases would have been .£54,200 and the decreases .£32,300, co that instead of an estimated addition to the revenue oE .£70,000, the amended proposals showed an estimated loss of .£7300. The new proposals contemplated inoreased duty on fresh apples from id to Id per lb ; oranges, now free, to id per lb ; bananas, id per lb. Tea, under the former proposals, was to be reduced by Id, with reductions on kerosene, fencing wire, and rioe. As the result of the deliberations of the House and the general feeling of tho members, it was intended to take a large amount off one item. Rice would revert to 6s per cwt., ketosene would remain as it was, and tea be reduced from 6d to 3d per lb-a loss to the revenue of .£51,000. To enable this to be done various increases were proposed. Acetio aoid was reduced from 3d to 1 Jd, entirely owing to representations made to the Government in connection with the preserve and piokle industry. On medicines it was proposed to lev; a duty of 40 per oent. A great deal of quaok medicine was imported, while superior medicines were manufactured in the colony. Upon boots under 5s per pair a special duty of 2s per pair should be levied on shoddy boots, in addition to the 25 per cent proposed. (Cries of " Oh.") This was not a duty for increasing the prices of boots made of good material, but to prevent the importation of shoddy articles which deceived the public It waß proposed to put a duty of la 6d per gallon on linseed oil. The Tariff Commission recommended a duty of 403 per ton on Unseed. It had been pointed out to the Government that this duty would be absolutely useless to enconrage the growth of linseed unless a duty was put on linßeed oil. This would only resnlt in increasing the price of the oil for a short time. Experience of other industries had been that Protection had oreated competition, which cheapened prices. (Mr. Dutbie — The duty is 1 10 per cent, on the cost of oil.) It was a high duty, but in some parts of the country people thought it should be higher. When the duty on wax vestas was before the House before a large deoreaao was proposed. The amended resolutions wentmidway between those proposals and the old duties. 'J here had been a promise made to two manufacturers— one at Dhnedjn and one at Wellington— not to decrease the duty for a certain time. When he was making vp the Tariff he was not aware of those promises, and now proposed to return to them. Among the exemptions wonld be found shirtings, and forfar when cut into styles for bag lengths. The flour industry would have suffered considerably had they not so dealt with forfar. Perfumed spirits and tinotures presented a troublesome question. The representatives of the dealers bad pointed out to him that the former proposals were unsuitable, and so new proposals were brought down under separate heads. There was also alteration in the matter of preoious stones, as a result of the representations of the trade, which showed it was not expedient that the original proposals should be given effeot to. The desire of the Government was to get the Tariff right. The proposed duty of 25 per cent, on jewellery was reduced to 20 per cent. To raise the duty on it would defeat the intention by preventing its importation. It was proposed to make a difference between mouldings and picture frames. Under former tariffs the duty on both was the same, but it was found desirable to discriminate. An alteration was made as to duty on electrioal machinery and gas-making machinery ; 10 per cent, was to bo put on these entirely for revenue purposes, and not to prevent importation. It waß proposed to make a uniform duty on fencing wire of Is per owt, which would bo a decrease on barbed wire and an increase on plain wire. To enable the reductions to be felt by consumers it was neoessary not to give way on so many points as fornterly. Leather manufactures, saddlery and harness, whipß and whip thongs, which were to have paid a duty of 25 per cent , were to be fixed at 20 per cent. only. When the proposal was formerly before the House it waa believod by Government tbat it would be desirable to havo the higher duty, but since then those who had asked this urged that 25 per cent, was agaiost their interests. * As the alterations were with a view to assisting industry and for revenue purposes, 20 per cent, would meet the case. Flannelette was free. (Cries of "No.") After consulting the Customs officers, Mr. Ward taid that flannelette was now 10 per cent, and shirtingß free by the recent resolutions. It was proposed to put 20 per cent, on cotton piece goods. At this stage Sir Robert Stout raised the question as to whether, if the Treasurer spoko as long as he chose, other members would be allowed to do so on this ones lion. The Chairman was about to ask speoial time from the House, when the Premier said they must abide by the Standing Orders. The Treasurer, continuing, said the duty was to be taken off binder tnine. (Great applause.) Captain Bussell asked whether tho Troasurer had not already spoken ten minutes. (Ho had been speaking half an hour). The Chairman said he had, and must now end. Captain Russell said this waß another evidence of the absurdity of tLe Standing Orders. The new proposals were very gratitying, as showing the result of the action of the Opposition on a recent occasion. Formerly the Treasnrer insisted that there mnat be no reduotion which wonld affect his getting .£lO,OOO increase of revenue and weaken his finance. Now ho himself (rave away that increase, and proposed a .£7OOO rec notion. This Tariff seemed even more abfrard than that brought down before. The few luxuries children could get were fruits, and these were specially singled out for taiation. Even cocoanuts were inoreased

about 100 per cent. It was well tbo Government was goin? to mitsito tliu schoolboy, tor tho schoolboy would bo educated up to rt member it. The Treasurer had •jove Homo, and caino back liko Don Juan— H young man made up of youth and love and un army tailor — and having got hia drawerß full of every imaginable novelty, lie prepared a sumptuary law to prevent others doing likewise. This would bo nothing were it not that hn wa3 not only going to irritate tho Rchoolboy, but was going to put a tax on ladies' fiuery. (The Premier— " Won't our clothes do i") Ho did not want to be personal, or ho might draw attention to the Premier and his colleague, the 1 rcasurer, sitting beatde, to show tho differer.ee between the English - made and colonial. (Roars of laughter, in which the Premier did not join). This tariff did not remove any anomalies. Now Zealand was ono of the moat heavily taxed countries in Australasia now, and the Government had no idea of roduoing the taxation or of economising. Prom beginning to end members had shown an utter absence of statesmanlike grasp in connection with tho Tariff. The Treasurer said that promises had been made to match factories that the taxation would not bo altered. (The Premier— " No." Cries of " Yos.") Was the funotion of Parliament to be taken out of tho hands of Parliament and put into those of an autcoratio Minister to make promises to matoh-makers to keep up the price of matches at tho expense of the colony? The Treasurer had never considered this Tariff at all. There was an example in his ignorance of tho dnty on flannelette. Tho Premier said Tariff resolutions wore ur.ually formally moved and debated at a later stage, and as Captain Russell had asked time for consideration of the proposals on the previous day, it was inconsistent to attaok the proposals now. The alteration giving the larger reduction on tea instead of smaller reductions on koroaeno, rice, and tea, was purely so as to reach the consumers The duty on ladies' dresses was for tho benefit of oolonial dressmakers, who if givon an opportunity could well compete with their sisters in the Old Country. Those who went to Paris must pay for going 1o Paris. The dressmakers Baid Government had proteoted tailors by putting a duty on gentlemen's clothing, and demanded they should do tho same tor ladies who imported their dresses. Mr. T. Mackenzie said this was the third edition of the Tariff. In tho South the Tariff Commissioners woro told they should put 2s a pair on certain boots, but the Commission, on enquiring into it, found it bunkum. Yet the Treasurer had swallowed it. The Commissioners found that the boots under 5s imported were mainly children's boots and mon's slippers, and this special duty would bo 200 per cent, on their cost, with tho new duty making 225 per cent, on the boots worn by the small ohildren of the poor. Tho Treasurer was putting on 300 per cent, more dnty than asked of the Tariff Commissioners by the Cbribtohuroh bootmakers on some boots. Tho Premier was taken round a match factory in Wellington, and was greatly pleased withxwhat he saw, and brought in a Protective tariff to make the people of Now Zealand pay for these factories. Tho farmers and" the miners, the real producers of the country, had to pay all this, while thoir produce, sold in the world's markets, had nothing added. The reduction on binder twine, &0., was oommendable. Sir Kobort Stout said this was the third Tariff they had had. They could possibly dibtinguish each Tariff by the first item. Therefore the first was the mutton bird tariff, the next the flannelette tariff, and the last was the ooooanut tariff. The Premier had said that no tariff should be put through jho House till the people had had an opportunity of considering it. If that was so this should be fulfilled for two or three weeks till the people knew what it was, for it was entirely different from the first. Take boots ; those who asked for Protection never asked so much. As to matches, before the Commission a manufacturer detailed how he had been told by Mr. Ward , verbally and in writing, that there would be no alteration in the Tariff on matched during the term this Government was in office. (Sir Robert read the evidonce). The Treasurer had weakened his finance by the reduction on tea. Tea was not a neoessity bnt v luxury. The cry of a " free breakfast table " was all bosh and nonsense : you could get the best breakfast table even without tasting a dutiable article. Cotton clothing was necessary for the people, and we could not produoe it It would be better to reduce the duty on this and keep' it on luxuries. Dr. Newman eaid the new Tariff was improved so far as it was altered in accordance with Opposition oritioism, but the duty taken off tea was put on a large number of neoesaariea. Mr. Earnshaw considered the taxation on fruit most scandalous, and condemned other items in the Tariff. Instead of stopping the Island fruit trade they shonld encourage it, as if they did not get return freights they could not expect to hold tho Island trade as against Australia. Mr. Willis considered tho Treasurer to be commended for Jiia- endeavour to suit the large number of people who had waited jipon him. He warmly defended the tailors of j New Zealand, upon whom he considered Captain Russell's joonlar comparison a fonl libel. He considered tho Pre"mior was remarkably well dressed. Mr. Duthie Baid the Treasurer, having abandoned his .£IO,OOO of increase, said he was going to stand a loss of J270G0. The opinion of business men was that underHhe former proposals .£50,000 was the contemplated increase, and it was probable a similar increase of taxation' was concealed in these proposals. With the exception of Queensland, we were already the most heavily taxed of the colonies, and any increase of taxation should be opposed. The four tariffs brought down were mere playing with tho question, and it was evident that the Treasurer had never brought his business ability to bear on them. He should give bis attention to the matter, and bring down a tariff whioh the Government oould stand to. Mr. Crowther considered the duty on Island fruit must be withdrawn. Mr. Allen commented upon the Treasurer's contention that the increases of the last proposals were necessary to his finance, and now brought down proposals effecting a deorease Mr. G. W. Russell condemned tho Island fruit duties, and considered the special boot duty could not be intended to apply to children's boots. He commended the tea reduction, but regretted no distinction was made respecting paokot teas. Ihe alterations in the present proposals justified the critioism passed on the last proposals. Mr. Buchanan regretted the Government attempt to make fruit dear to the people. (Hear, hear.) Nothing was more gratifying than the increase in the consumption of fruit whioh had been going on of late, and whioh these proposals would stop. The Treasurer said in speaking to Mr. Bell he hod merely given bis opinion as to the match duty. Everything aMinister said was subject to the ratification of Parliament He bad always been particular in his administration to make no pledge he could not fulfil. In writing to Mr. Bell he had said that the duty on machinery and certain materials used in the manufacture of articles was not likely to be altered. There was no reference to the dnty on matches. As to boots, the boots upon which Mr. T. Mackenzie had based bis calculations ware specially exempted in the free list of the Bill. Calico, white and grey, and cotton shirtings in the piece were also to be free. (Mr. T. Mackenzie— They are free now.) Some items on the free list were not free now. They were bringing down a bigger free list than any Government had done. To get the free breakfast table under the existing Tariff Sir Robert Stont referred to they would have to have no sugar, tea, coffofl, salt, jam, knives, forks, china, or table-oloth. (Sir Robert Stout—" You don't eat table-olotha.") Mr. T. Mackenzie quoted items to show he was right and the Treasurer wrong as to his boot calculations. It was with the utmost difficulty we could keep the Island trade to the oolony now in the face of our Proteotion system, whioh threatened to drive the Islanders to Sydney, and if we prevented the importation of their fruits (which we could not grow hore) we would kill the trade. The Hon. Mr. Steward testified to the labour the Treasurer had given to the Tariff. A number of items were in accordance with the Commission's report, but he condemned the dnty on Island fruit. He objeoted to the combination duty on boots. Mr. Bnddo condemned the duties on Island fruit and the combination duty on boots, and especially that on linseed oil. Mr. Graham deprecated second • reading speeches sow, bat tho Government had brought this on itself by its laok of baokbone. Mr. R. Thompson considered the duties on boots and matches too high. The duty should have been taken off fenoing wire, and the linseed oil duty would be injurious to painters and others. The tax on Australian frnit was desirable, but he resotved his opinion as to Island fruit. Mr. Morrison defended the concession to match faotories, which had brought down the duty 25 per cent. Mr. G. J. Smith condemned the boot duty, and regretted that more encouragement had not boon given to struggling industries. Mr. Massey congratulated tho Treasurer on the abolition of binder-twino duty, but condemned tho Island fruit tax. Mr. Willis said though cardboard matchboxes were manufactured in the colony it was proposed to admit them froe. Mr. Hogg condemned tho duty on fruit, and the proposal to take 3d per lb off tea duty, which Mr. M'Gowan strongly supported. On the resolutions being put, Sir Robert btout moved an amendment striking out the duty of Id on apples, poara, plums, cherrioa, poaches, &c, saying that if it was levied and afterwards rofunded consumers would never bo ablo to obtain any refund. He intended afterwards moving to divide the House on tho Island fruit duties. The Premier protested that this course was unprecedented. Tho item was retained by 33 to 14. Sir Robert Stont moved to strike out oranges, Ac, at id. 'I ho Premier, who displayed much feeling, said he would make tho matter a Party question. (Sir Robert Stout— You can do so.) It was taking an unparalleled and unconstitutional course to divide on a rosolution of this kind before the Tariff Hill came down Sir Robert Stout was doing this bocause he was leaving Wellington noxt wook, and desired to force members into a false position. He was surprised at the Leader of Ihe Opposition voting for the motion. Captain Russell said he could not do otherwise than vote against tho duty on fruit He would very soon have been accused by the Premier of inconsistency if ho had not done so. The Premier said it was not fair to force members into the lobby to vote on a mero formal motion. If euch unfair tactics wero adopted, ho must recede from tho position he had taken up of giving members a free hand. Mr. Meredith aaked if tho Treasuror was willing to remit the tax on Island fruit. If not, he must voto in favour of the amendment. The Minister for Lands appealed to tho Committoo to formally pass tho resolution, and a free hand would bo given thorn whon the Customs Dutioa Bill came down A large nnmber of members had gone homo unpaired, ' t

Mr. Allen said that if members had made up their mindrf bgmnst the Islund lruit, tax let them hay so at once. Mr Pivani regretted that members were beiug placed in a false position, but Government was to blamo for it in bringing down a tax on fruit that tho Houso would not look at last jear. Speaking with twonty-four years' experionco, Major Steward said ho had never known tho House called on to voto on a formal resolution of thia kind. If the amendment were piessed, ho must support it. The Premier explained, in answer to Mr. T. Thompson, that members votiug against tho amendment now wonld not be bound to vote for the Island fruit tax when tho Bill came down next week. Members would be justified in voting against thoir opinion, as a protect against tho course taken by Sir Robert Stout. Mr. Earnshaw having spoken, Mr. tlallJones said that members who voted for this tax would voto for dear fruit, to-morrow. Mr. G. W. Russell Baid the House would be stnltifying itself by voting to-night for this tax, which meant an addition of ,£20,000 to thb taxation. The Premier said that arrangements had been made by Sir Robert Stout and membors on this question. Sir Robert Stout— l have not. Tho Premier— lt is no use the hon. member denying. I will not take his denial. The Premier, having been compel'ed to withdraw this remark, said ho would sooner dispense with tho support of mombers who professed to support the Govern, ment like Messrs. Hall - Jones, Russell, and Pirani, and yet proposed to voto against such things as this in the faoe of his assuranco that these proposals v/ero tentative and only to last till the Bill came down on Tuesday— ho would rathor they would go to the other side of the House. Any member who knew his duty to himself and the Government would not voto for this amendMossrs. G. W. Russell and Hall-Jones considered if the Premier liked to run connter to the House when he knew its view he must take the consequenceß. Sir Robert Stout said ho had no consultation and made no plan about moving his amendment. Tho Premier was to be blamed for tho position. The resolution reforred to porishable goods whioh must bo consumed at once, and it would be five or six days before tho Tariff Bill oould be passed, and moautimo a duty of 30 per cent, would be placed on tho people's food. He did not want a victory over tho Government, and he would withdraw his motion if the Government would withdraw tho item from the tariff. (Applause \ Tho Treasurer said mombers evidently die not recognise the conceßssions proposed under the Tariff. This was an itom to get at the Chinaman. (Mr. Pirani and others — " Why, thoy hold all the stocks and will raise the price," and laughter ) Chinamen would not put on extra price. The aftereffect would be to transfer tho fruit bnsiness from Chinamen to Europeans. (Laughter, and " You don't know the Chinamen.") While the discussion was proceeding the Premier had sent round an urgent whip for absent members, and at this stage tho Minister for Mines was scoured, the debate being kept on to permit them to come. The Treasurer, continuing, said that all the items were in the schedule of tho Bill, and if the House chose to strike the fruit out then he would accept it and put another item in. Tho duty was not by many thousands the amount whioh Mr. Bussell quoted. Mr Pirani, replying to the Premier, said he \u. fl from conscientious motives, and whetht: tho Premier approved _ or disapproved 1 > wonld give his vote in what ho consideit.il the right direction. He hoped the Premier would refrain from his reflections in future. Mr. Montgomery hoped the Premier would withdraw the item, as lie would be sorry to have to vote against him, especially as Sir Robert had raised the question at tho wrong time. But he was not going to vote against oranges one night and for oranges another night. He would not let the Premier say he voted on oranges one cay as a Party qu< stion, and the other day on its merits, as the Premier reminded him with regard to the Serijeant-at-Arms. Mr. Crowther urged the Premier to withdraw the item. The Premier said in the face of an adverse motion he could not withdraw the item, and no member with self-respeot could voto for the amendment. Meaßrs. E. M. Smith, Bntton, Hogg, W. Kelly, and Graham, while disapproving of the truit tax, would vote against the amendment to-night, and against the item when the Bill came down. | Mr. Morrison defended the Government, and called on members to stand together and prove worthy of the Party. Government would strike out the item on the Bill. The Premier continued to Epeak, to give time for members who had been sent for to be procured. He said Messrs. Duncan, Flatman, M' ln tosh, and Collins, now absent, were against tho amendment. (Mr. Jfirani and others, " They are against you.") They were not dosorters. The only difficulty would be that fruiterers would have less profits for a few days. It had been suggested that he should report progress till Monday, but merchants would then cloar their dutiable goods, and the revenue wonld suffer. Sir Robert Stout said he wonld bo willing they Bhould pass all the resolutions but the fruit resolutions, and postpone thoso till the Bill came down. The Premier — It would be impossible to do that. Sir Fobert said he had seen it done. Mr. Pirani said the Chinamen whom Government professed a desire to suppress were the holders of all the large stocks of Island fruit, and to-morrow_ they would reap the profit from the working men of New Zealand. Sooner than ccc the duty imposed he would prefer to see tho whole tariff defeated. Government had prevented working men getting cheap grapes, and now they were going to make other fruit dear to him. He would not be intimidated by tho Premier. The Premier said it was unfair to bring on this while certain members were out of the House, but the Govornment Whips were endeavouring to pair for thia vote on fruit members who had expressed themselves strongly against this very duty. Mr. M'Uowan ridiculed tho claim that tho duty would injure tho working man, and said there were other fruiterers than Chinamen. Mr. Morrison and others continued to talk against tims. At 2.30 a.m. Captain Russell said that as it was evident Government supporters were Btonewalling the motion, he hoped the Hansard staff would not be kept while such ; twaddle was being talked. The Treasurer endeavoured to draw Sir . Robert Stout into a speech, but Sir Robert \ said he would not join the stonewall. Mr. i Ward eaid Captain Rußsell must have some motive for the withdrawal of the Hansard staff. , Captain Russell said the motive was that [ the Treasurer was stonewalling his own motion. Mr. Hall, amid laughtor, continued the ; stonewall, whioh was taken on by Mr. R. Thompson. The Minister for Mines said it was a question as to who was to lead the House. If the Government was not to lead the House, let them go off the benches. At 3 a.m. the Houso divided on Sir Robert Stout's amendment to strike out the words " oranges, gauvaa, passion fruit, }d Dor lb." This was lost by 30 to 18. The item " bananas and pineapples, {d per lb," was carried by 29 to 19. The item " cocoanuts, \A," was carried by 33 to 14. The remainder of tho resolutions were carried without division. After some delay," owing to objection to Mr. Joyoe taking the chair on the part of Messrs M'Lachlan and Earnshaw, the Customs Duties and Excise Bill was introduced. Tho House roso, at 4.55 a.m., till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.