CONSIDERING THE TARIFF.

Evening Star, Issue 7650, 28 June 1888, Page 2

CONSIDERING THE TARIFF.

[From Oik Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, June 27

The consideration of the exemptions from duty in the schedule of the Customs Duties Bill waß resumed in Committee by Mr Withy, who proposed to insert under the heading of machinery for agricultural purposes the words " patented, motive, and other machines, appliances and tools for the manufacture of which a right has been arranged or asked for by any firm in the colony." He urged the Protectionists not to refuse to adopt a proposal which would serve to assist in the production of wealth.—The Premier declined to accept the amendment on account of the difficulties which it would entail, as Blmost every machine was covered by a patent of some kind. The Committee divitjed on the amendment, which was lost by 45 to 33. The Premier agreed to a motion by Mr O'Callaghan for the addition of machinery for roller flour-mills to the free list. He also agreed to insert the line "as Australian steam patent flour-mills." In answer to Mr Withy, the Premier said that it was intended to place a duty of 5 per cent, on electric light machinery. Dr Fitchett proposed to strike mining machinery out of the free list, but being ruled as out of order (as his motion, if agreed to, would increase taxation) he urged the Premier to place the same tax on this class of goods. —Mr Mills suggested that all patent rights would prevent it being manufactured in the colony.— Mr Seudon moved that dredgers and dredging appliances be specially added to the list, which was agreed to after some discussion.

Mr Withy moved to exempt machinery for electric lighting purposes. After some discussion he altered the description to " electric machinery and appliances," and the motion was carried by 42 to 35. Mr Buchanan desired to add patented machinery for wood-working purposes, but his motion to that effect was negatived on the voices.

Mill-boards, photographic lenses, albuminised paper, and traction engines were exempted on the motion of the Premier. Mr W. J. Steward moved to insert "newspapers and periodicals" instead of "papers," but the Premier objected, and said that the object could be met by adding to the line "printed books, papers, and music" the words "not otherwise enumerated." The list was amended accordingly.

On the item " rock salt" Mr Perceval moved to include " coarse salt" among exemptions, as he thought that this would have been carried while the duties were being considered but for a misapprehension. Other members, however, said that such was not the case, the duty of 10s on all all kinds except rock salt having been arrived at by way of a compromise. The item was therefore passed as printed. Sheep dip (which had been struck out of the list of duties), scrub exterminators, and union shirtings in piece (not exceeding 7d per yard in value) were here inserted on the motion of the Premier.

The items "steam engines "and "moulded boiler flues" were struck out.

Under the heading of " Tinsmith's trade fittings," the words "punched furniture" were substituted for " trade furniture " on the Premier's motion.

Tobacco for sheepwash purposes, when rendered unfit for human consumption, was inserted.

Hydraulic cranes were also exempted, and the schedule of exemptions was then passed as amended.

The schedule fixing the excise duty on tobacco at Is per lb, and that on cigarettes at Is 6d per lb, was then passed, its operation being extended to the 31st December, 1891. The Bill as a whole was reported as amended. Tlie Amended Duties.

The Premier moved that the Bill be recommitted presently with the view to making certain amendments to be decided upon in Committee of Ways and Means. The list of reconsidered duties having been formally approved of in Committee of Ways and Means, the Premier explained that the added duties would take effect from that day, in the same way as when the Tariff was brought down, subject of course to possible removal by the House. He moved that the Bill be recommitted, with the object of reconsidering the reserved items, which were enumerated in detail.

Mr T. Mackenzie moved, as an addition to the motion, the advisableness of reinserting in the free list the item of " cotton piece goods not otherwise enumerated," and " linen hollands, the fair market value of which does not exceeded per yard."—The Premier asked the House not to agree to this, as before making his proposals he had ascertained what the drapers really wanted. —Mr T. Mackenzie said that only the Wellington merchants had been consulted, and he declined to withdraw his amendment. —Mr Fisher testified that several merchants had approved of the Tariff as proposed by the Government. The amendment was negatived by 41 to 35* Mr Bruce moved that wool packets be included in the recommittal,—The Premier said that he had no objection to this course, as he was quite willing to assist out districts. —The amendment was agreed to. Mr Perceval moved that the item " salt, except rock salt," be recommitted.—The Premier said it was hardly fair to ask the Government to fight this item over again, seeing that the House had already decided it on three or four divisions. —Mr Perceval did not think so.—Mr W. P. Reeves asked both Freetraders and Protectionists to unite in throwing out the salt duty. Salt was equally necessary to manufacturers and consumers. —Captain Russell supported the recommittal of the item, but thought that the arguments in its favor applied equally well to a reconsideration of the tea duty.—Ultimately Mr Perceval asked leave to withdraw his amendment, but leave was refused.—The amendment was negatived by 55 to 26. The recommittal of the Bill was then agreed to in Committee. The Premier moved the insertion of a new clause exempting from all duties any machinery imported for the use of the importer, and not for sale, which was ordered prior to May 30. —Dr Fitchett asked the Premier to limit the application of the clause to machinery which arrives in the colony within Bix months from the passing of the Act.—The Premier agreed to do so, and the addition having been made, the clause was read a second time.

The item " wearing apparel," already carried with a duty of 25 per cent., was amended so as to read: " Apparel goods, ready-made clothing, and all articles not otherwise enumerated, made up wholly or in part, or other piece goods." Candied peel, 5d per lb, an inorease of 2d on the duty formerly proposed, was agreed to without discussion; drained peel, with which it was formerly bracketed, being at 3d.

On the motion of the Premier the item ' * completed parts of carriages, 20 per cent.," was struck out in order to be otherwise described.

Clocks and watches, 20 per cent, (an increase of 5 per cent.), was agreed to. Cordage rope not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent., instead of at per cwt, was agreed to, and the item of white lines was struok out.

Cotton piece goods not otherwise enumerated was reduced from 20 per cent, to 10 per cent. Cutlery wa3 raised from 15 per cent, to 20 per cent. Feathers (ornamental), including ostrich, 25 per cent, (an increase of 5 per cent.), and fireclay, ground, 20 per cent, (new duty)j were agreed to. Fruit, adding lemons to those originally enumerated, $d per lb, an increase of £d per lb.—Captain Russell moved—"That this item be struck out." Comparing the manner in which fruit is put into the market, and the packing and even quality of the Tasmanian fruit, he said that it was clearly indolence that prevented the New Zealand orchardiste from supplying an article equally as tempting as that furnished by the foreign growers. —Mr Walker, on behalf of the Canterbury growers, indignantly repudiated the reflection thrown upon New Zealand fruits. He said that he believed that most of the prevalent infantile complaints were due to the use of bad fruit imported from Tasmania. If the importation of pulp were stopped we would soon compete with other colonies in kie matter.—Mr Bbbtham supported the

amendment; and Dr Newman pouted out that as a consequence of the duty already imposed the price of jam had risen 8d per dozen within the last week.—Mr W. P. Reeves defended the Canterbury fruitgrowers from the charges of laziness, and bore testimony to the excellence of their fruit.—Mr Fish said that the reason why jam factories had not been successful in New Zealand was that the railway freight rates were so high.—Dr Fitchett suggested that the Premier might leave the duty at id. After much discussion, the Committee divided on Captain Russell's amendment, which was lost by 55 to 23.—Dr Fitchett then moved that the duty be reduced to Jd per lb. —The Premier said his own proposal seemed to him to be the fairest to all parties.—The amendment was negatived on the voices, and a duty of Jd was inserted by 54 to 20. Fruit pulp and partially preserved fruit, ljd per lb.—Mr Allen moved to reduce this duty to £d, but it was lost by 48 to 20, and the item passed as printed. Alterations in duties were agreed to as follows :—Fruit, preserved by sulphurous action, id (a new duty); furs, 25 per cent (an increase of 5 per cent); grain—viz., barley—2s per 1001b (anew duty); hardware ironmongery, holloware, and cutlery, 20 per cent, (inserted instead of "Hardware, not otherwise enumerated," and " Holloware, not otherwise enumerated," 25 per cent.); Hessians,-the fair market value of which does not exceed 4d per yard, 15 per cent.; instead of an item previously struck out for better description; 2d per lb; iron, galvanised hoop, Is 6d per cwt.; hand-bills, programmes, and circulars, day bills and printed posters,2o per cent.; jewellery, 20 per cent, (an increase of 5 per cent.); lead (in Eheets), Is 6d per cwt. (a new duty); leather bags, 20 per cent, (an increase of 5 per cent) ; leather cut into shapes, leather and cloth bags, leather leggingß, and leather manufactures, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent, (an increase from 15 per cent, in each case); maizena and cornflour, |d per lb, instead of Is per 1001b; wooden matches, boxes containing not more than 60 matches, Is per gross of boxes; over sixty and not more than 100, 2s per gross]; over 100 (for every 100 or fraction thereof contained in a box), 2s per gross; wax plaids vestas, in cardboard boxes containing under 100 matches, Is 4d per gross; pocket vestas, in tin or other boxes containing under 100 matches, 2s per gross ; sportsmen's ovals and No. 4 tins vestas, in boxes containing not more than 200, 5s 6d per gross; other kinds, for every 100 matches or fraction thereof contained in one box, 2s 9d per gross; heel and toe plates, inserted in " metal manufactures," 20 per cent.; millinery— viz., trimmed hats —2O per cent, (reduced from 25 per cent.); nets and netting, 20 per cent, (a new item); oysters (preserved), 2d per lb (instead of 20 per cent, ad val.) ; paper bags, 25 per cent, ad vol. (instead of 7s 6d per cwt); plate, gold and silver and plated ware, 20 per cent, (raised from 15 per cent.); saccharine, 5s per oz (a new item); sauces, 3s per dozen pints (instead of 20 per cent, ad vol.); silk and silk velvet in piece not otherwise enumerated, 25 per cent.; soda crystals, 2s per cwt. (instead of Is per cwt.); spices, including pepper, 4d per lb (instead of 3d per lb). The duties on spirits were fixed as follows: —Spirits and Btrong waters, the strength of which can be ascertained by Sykes's hydrometer, in bottles, jars, or other vessels, packed in cases or otherwise : Cases, 16s the proof gallon (in bulk, 15s). No allowance beyond 16.5 under proof shall be made for spirits or strong waters of a less hydrometer strength than 16.5 under proof. Spirits and strong waters, mixed with any ingredient in any proportion exceeding 33 per cent, of proof spiri r , and although thereby coming under the designation of patent or proprietary medicines, or under the designation excepting medicinal tinctures specified in the British Pharmacopoeia, in bottles, jars, or other vessels, packed in cases or other packages, 16s the liquid gallon (in bulk, 15s). Spirits and strong waters, sweetened or mixed, when not exceeding the strength of proof, in boltles, jars, or other vessels, packed in cases or other packages, 16* the liquid gallon (in bulk, 15s). The duty on sulphur was fixed at 6d per cwt. (reduced from Is per cwt). Twine (not otherwise enumerated).—2o per cent, (raised from 15 per cent). Mr Mills moved to exempt twine for fishing nets, but the motion was lost on the voices. Wax paraffin (mineral, vegetable, and Japanese), Hi per lb (raised from Id per lb), and sparkling wine 9s per gal (raised from 8s per gal), were agreed to. The Premier, at the instance of Mr Bruce, moved to reduce the duty on wuol pockets from Is 3d per doz to 6d per doz, which was agreed to. Yarns, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent., was passed without

dissent. Roll zinc was struck out of the schedule of the Bill.

The Bill was then reported as amended, and on the motion of the Premier it was decided to consider the amendments on Friday.