TARIFF TINKERING.

Evening Star, Issue 9807, 21 September 1895, Page 4

TARIFF TINKERING.

REDUCTION OF THE FRUIT DUTY,

[From Our Parliamentary Retorter.]

WELLINGTON, September 21. After Mr Millar’s amendment, proposed with a view to an increase of the beer duty, bad been negatived yesterday afternoon the House went into Committee of Ways and Means, and at the Treasurer’s instance resolutions were passed dealing with the variations in the original resolutions and the schedule to the Bill. These differences having been righted, Mr T. Mackenzie proposed that all flannelettes be admitted duty free except those in imitation of colonial, Welsh, Lancashire, and Saxony flannels, which shall be charged 10 per cent.—This was negatived by 42 to 17. To the resolutions dealing with fresh fruits Mr Mackenzie moved—“ That during the period from April 30 to November M'l in each year the duly on apples and pears shall not exceed LI pir lb.” That, he said, would preserve the local market for local fruit-growers, and when fruit could not be grown in New Zealand it would enable the imported article to be purchased at a reasonable rate, instead of bearing Id per lb duty. —The proposal was resisted by the Premier, who said that it was an attempt by a side wind to defeat what had been done in com mittee on the Bill. If the proposal were carried he would raise a point which would upset their decision,—Tee resolution was carried fcy 30 to 29, the announcement of the numbers being received with cheers. Then came a proposal from Mr Maslin to place rice on the free list, his opinion being that the food supply should not be subject to taxation, and without being discussed the question was brought to a vote, and was rejected by 34 to 24.

Mr Carnell next moved to have cement for harbor works admitted duty free. He admitted that the move was made in the interests of the Napier Harbor Board. I’rior to 1888 cement had been on the free list, but in that year a duty of 2s per cask had been imposed, with the result that the Napier Harbor Board had already paid £IO,OOO by way of duty, and would have to pay another £IO,OOO before the works were completed.—Mr T. Mackenzie moved as an amendment that cement for all public works ba added to the free list.—The Treasurer opposed both proposals ou the ground that the loss of revenue entailed could uot be afforded, and that an injustice would bo done to the two canient industries in the colony. —Mr Pinkerton pointed out that an industry had been started in Dunedin, which was capable of very large extension, and which produced a cement equal to anything imported ; therefore lie hoped that no injustice would be done to tbs Milburn Cement Works for the purpose of bolstering up a harbor in Napier which ought never to have been made.—Mr Earnsiiaw contended that the Dunedin and Auckland cement firms had brought the price of the article down from 25s to 12s a cask. The Dunedin company had been so hampered by the unfair manner in which cement was b 'ought out iu sailing ships that it had been a question whether the works would have to be closed or not, and if they were further hampered by the duty being removed that result would inevitably follow. —Mr Gaunkil directed attention to tho assistance that had been given to most of the harbor boards of the colony by the Government, and said surely this concession of free ce.ncnt was not too much to ask on bohalf

of the Napier Board.—Mr Fraser said that the duly had evidently been imposed for Protection purposes, and as he regarded Protect ion as nothing more nor less than legalised v (bbory he must vote for cement being placed on the free list.—Before the question went to a vote, Mr Cars ell said he would a;eept Mr Mackenzie’s amendment that c ment for all local governing bodies’ works in admitted duty free and added to the free list, which was negatived by 3G to 18. With a vice,- to preventing the introduction of cheap German spirits, Mr Millar moved that all spirits imported into the colony after the Ist January, 18'JG, must bo accompanied by a bond certificate tbit- it had been in bond for three years.—Mr O. *\V. Ki>sgli. raised the point that the resolution did not deal in any sense with the revenues of the colony, and therefore ought not to have been placed in the Bill.—The Chairman held that it could not he moved in Committee of Ways an 1 Means, but could be in committee on the Bill.

The ne.Nt proposal came from Mr R. M’Kknzil, who moved to reduce the duty on candles from 24 per lb (as at present) to 3I; but this was rejected without discussion by 35 to 18. Mr E aensuaw having given notice of his intention to move that machinery for candlemaking purposes be added to the free list, an adjournment was made till half-past eovon.

When the House resumed after dinner the resolutions in Committee of W'aya and Means v/ere reported to the House, which was immediately declared in committee on the Bill, consideration of which was resumed at Schedule A. Mr T. Mackenzie dedred to make some amendment to the item “Jellies,” which was pissed the previous evening. He contended that this could be done, as a fresh resolution had been passed on the subject in Committee of Ways and Means.—The Chairman, however, ruled that that line having been passed on Thursday rught it could not be gone back on.

The member for Olutha then moved to insert in the Bill the resolution he had carried during the afternoon : that no duties exceeding Ad per lb should be levied on apples and pears between .‘3oth April and 30th November.—To this an amendment was suggested by Mr Morrison that the dates be 31st May till 30th November.—Thereupon the Premier raised as a point of order that the resolution come to in Committee of Ways and Means could not be altered, and this contention was upheld by the Chairman o.i the ground that it would be increasing the'duty resolved on in committee.—A division was then come to on the motion, which was carried by 3d to 29, and so apples and pears are only to be subject to Ad duty fir six months in the year. “Fruits preserved in juice or syrup, 2 o per cent, ad ralorem,” was agreed to. “ Fruits preserved by sulphurous acid, Id the lb," was also agreed to. “ Milk- preserved, 2.i per cent, ad valorem. ”—Mr Horn; moved to make the duty 29 per cent., which was objected to by Mr Crowther, Mr E. M. Smith (who expressed his disgust that thercr was any district in the colony which could not produce sutfioieut fresh milk without having to rely on Swiss milk), Mr Ward, and others. —The item was retained by 39 to 21. “ Chocolate confectionery and all preparations of chocolate or cocoa, in plain trade Dickagcs, 31 per lb ; in fancy packages or i i small packages for retail sale, 20 per cent. n ( valorem ,” was agreed to. On the item “ Pickles, 3s the imperial gallon,” Mr Maslin moved that the duty be continued at 2d per pint bottle, expressing the opinion that the increased duty proposed would give Urge profits to Heyward Bros., of Christchurch, who manufactured half the pickles made in the colony.—The retention of the duty by the imperial gallon was defended by the members of the Tariff Commission, and agreed to on the voices. On the item “Sauces, 4s the gallon,” Mr Maslin moved that the duty be 3s, but a»ain took the opinion of the Committee on the voices, and the amount was retained. In class 2, tobacco, the item “Cigarettes, not exceeding in weight 2Alb per 1,009, I7s Bd the 1,000 ” was agreed to ; and for “ all weight in excess of 2Alb per 1,000, 6d the ounce ” was agreed to. “ Tobacco unmanufactured, 2s the lb,” was agreed to. Class 3.—Alcoholic beverages and materials for making the same : “Spirits and strong waters (the strength of which can be ascertained by Sykes’s hydrometer), in bulk, 16s the proof gallon.”— Mr Millar wanted to move that spirits must be bonded for three years before being imported, but the Chairman ruled that this must be moved as a new clause. “ Spirits and strong waters, 16s the gallon,” was agreed to. “Cordials, bitters, and liqueurs in bulk, 10s the gallon,” was also agreed to. “Ale, beer, etc., 2s the gallon,” was agreed to. “ Rice malt, Id the lb,” was also agreed to.

Class 4. Non-alcoholic beverages and materials : “ Tea, 5d the lb until Slat December, 1895, and thereafter 4d the lb.’— This item reopened the floodgates of discussion.—Mr M'Gowan moved that the rale be 41, and Mr Earnshaw wanted it fixed at 3J, as proposed by the Treasurer recently. The member for Dunedin, in moving his amendment, complained that the Government were prepared to tax all the necessaries of life, but were afraid to touch the excise duty ou colonial beer. — Major Steward, speaking as chairman of the Tariff Commission. expressed the opinion that more relief would be granted to the consumer by a reduction on cotton goods, agricultural salt, etc., and leaving tea at 5 1.--The Treasurer and Premier asked that 5d be retained. — A division resulted in “sd” being struck out by 32 to 20. The Premier thereupon said he hoped that ■ld would be inserted without further trouble. If 3d were carried the Government’s finance would be weakened. —Mr Kaknshaw denied any desire to weaken the Government’s finance. The Government, while ready to tax tea and all articles of human consumption, had shown that they were going to light for the colonial beer duty at all hazards, and would not allow the tax on it to be increased.—This brought the Treasurer to his feet with a statement that he could not permit his finance to be weakened. While the Government were willing to give the House a free hand on the tariff proposals, if this action meant a serious interference with the finance of the country he could not allow it, and would have to call on his party to support him. Already there had been a large remission made on the duties proposed in fruit and linseed oil, and it was proposed to makegood that deficiency by raising thedutyon tea from the Sd per pound proposed last week. —“A way to strengthen the finances of the country has been suggested by several members,” responded Mr G. W. Russell, “but the Government will not touch the beer duty.” —Mr Pihaxi reminded the Committee that the Treasurer had promised to give his party a free hand on the tariff provided that they would support him towards making up any loss to the revenue that might be caused. They asked How was that to be done ? and were told by special Governor’s Message. —Mr G. J. Smith inquired when was that, and the member for Palmerston North replied: “At the caucus,” an answer that was received with Opposition cheers. —Mr Button announced that he intended voting for 41, because he held that the Government should have a sound finance. —The Premier said that neither Messrs Pi rani nor G. W. Russell were entitled, by experience or wisdom, to lead the House a position to which they aspired.—lt was stated by Mr Allen that he was in favor of the lower rate, but he had no wish to hamper the finance of the Government. The Treasurer ought not to have touched the tea duty, but hating got into a financial hole it was the duty of the Opposition to help him out of it. —On a division the duty on tea was fixed at 4d.—Mr Collins wanted to move an additional duty of Id per lb on tea in packets, but the Chairman ruled that it was noncompcteut for him to do so. The following items were agreed to;— Coffee, raw, 2d the lb ; essence of coffee, 20 per cent, ad valorem : syrups, 25 per cent. ad valorem.

Classo.—Drugs, medicines, chemicals, and druggist’s sundries : “ Acid (acetic, containing not more than 30 per cent, of acidity), 1 .'. I the lb,” was agreed to ; “ for every 10 percent. of acidity or fraction thereof additional, d per lb additional,” was agreed to. “ Baking powder, yeast preparations, and other ferments, 20 per cent, ad valorem,” was agreed to. “Essences —flavoring, spirituous, 10s the liquid gallon,” was agreed to. “Tinctures and medicinal spirits of any recognised phannacopu ii, containing more than 50 per cent, of proof spirit, Is ihc lb,” agreed to. “ Tinctures and medicinal spirits containing less than 50 per cent, of proof spirit, (j 1 the lb,” also agreed to. “Chemicals not otherwise enumerated, including photographic chemicals and glacial acetic acid, 20 per cent, ad valorem ,” agreed to. “Drugs and druggists’ sundries and apothecaries’ wares not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent, ad valor cm,” agreed to.—On the item “Saccharine, except in the forms of tablets or tabloids, Is (id the oz,” Dr Newman moved to strike out “except in the form of tablets or tabloids,” but received no encouragement, and the item was passed. On the item “ Eucalyptus oil, in bulk or bottle, 20 per cent, ad ndorein,” Mr Allen moved to insert “ 10 per cent, ad valorem ” after the word “bulk.” This, lie said, would make the duty 10 per cent, on bulk eucalyptus and 20 per cent, on bottled.— The amendment was negatived by 41 to 10. On the item “ Patent medicines, 40 per cent, ad valorem ,” Captain Russell moved to reduce the duty to 25 per cent. It was very hard that when children were not properly strong, and required those medicines, a duty of 40 per cent, should bo levied on them.—The Treasurer said that, from information in his possession, it was beyond question that a number of patent medicines imported were most injurious to health. Some of these medicines were sold at fabulous prices compared with the original coat of their production, and if they were taxed 100 per cent, it would be a mere bagatelle.— Mr Crowther thought such a heavy duty was necessary to prevent persons of the Sequah stamp coining into the colony, clearing out with £7,000 or £IO,OOO, and effecting no permanent remedies.—Mr Flat.man thought that if 40 per cent, were placed on Steadman’s soothing powders they would be placed beyond the reach of poor people,— Captain Russell said that the Government boasted that it was their policy to put people and not sheep on the land. How, then, diil tliey reconcile the principle of putting duties on patent medicines and yet admit free patent medicines for sheep.— Mr R. Thompson reminded the Committee that for some years the chemists had been endeavoring to have a Pharmacy Bill passed ■with a view to preventing storekeepers from selling patent medicines. No doubt the present high duly was suggested by those chemists.—The Treasurer replied that it was. Mmy chemists now manufactured patent medicines, and they were spurious and very inferior imitations of the imported articles. —The amendment was negatived by 31 to 25, and 40 per cent, retained.

The item “Proprietary medicines or medicants, 40 per cent.,” was agreed to. Class o.—Clothing and textile goods: “ Apparel made by British or foreign tailors, diess, mantle, or packet makers to the order of residents in the colony, and intended for the individual use of such residents, whether imported by the residents themselves or through an importing firm, 40 per cent.” Major Harris wanted an exception made in favor of uniforms made for volunteer purposes, but the idea was generally scouted.—Mr Larnach regarded the proposal as a species of class legislation, and moved that the duty be reduced to 20 per cent.—Mr W. Hutchison said that, in place of it being class legislation, the suggestion camo from one of the biggest aristocrats in the country.—(Cries of “Name!”) Mr G. G. Stead, of Christchurch, made that suggestion to the Tariff Commission. The amendment was supported by Mr Bell, Mr T. Mackenzie, and Captain Russell (the latter characterised the high duty as a contemptible appeal to the trades unions of the colony), whilst Mr W. Hutchison regarded this as about the most proper proposal in the whole tariff.— Mr Pirani laid the charge that it was a common custom for people importing this class of goods into the colony to have two invoices sent to them in order to cheat the Customs, and it was difficult to get at these swindlers in high places.—Mr Buchanan said the very way to increase that swindling was to put on these excessive duties.—Mr Duthie considered the tax contemptible. He denied that the question was whether English or colonial-made goods were the better, but whether restrictions were to be put on a person in deciding where his or her apparel should come from.—Mr Pirani alleged that the fashionable dressmakers of London sent out dresses with two invoices —one for their customers, and one for the Customs, and thus the department was deliberately swindled.—Mr Willis confirmed this statement by saying that when in London recently he was assured that the practice of deceiving the Customs by means of false invoices in this manner was a common one.—Mr T. Mackenzie said that what the New Zealand woollen manufacturers desired was to shut out mere shoddy

articles of clothing, not the superior materials.—The matter having been discussed for nearly two hours the figure “40’’was retained by 41 to 18. Ou the item “Forfar, dowlas, and flax sheeting not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent, ad valorem ,” Mr T. Mackenzie said it was desirable to simplify the tariff as regarded soft goods. Five different classes would lead to no end of trouble in determining the different varieties. He moved that these items be added to the free list, which was lost by 32 to 27. On the item “Hats of all kinds, including straw hats, also caps, 25 per cent, ad valorem ,” Mr Maslin moved to strike out straw hats, which was negatived on the voices.

The following items on which duty is to be 23 per cent, were passed without debate : —Millinery of all kinds, feathers and artificial flowers, lace and laces. The next item was “ Cotton pieces, goods not otherwise enumerated, 10 per cent, ad valorem.” —Major Steward moved that it be added to the free list, but the proposal was negatived by 31 to 26.—Mr G. J. Smith proposed to remove turkey twills, printed cotton, dress fabrics under 4d per yard, and cotton piece goods from the 20 per cent, class, with a view to placing them in this division.—The Treasurer resisted the amendment on the ground that this meant a loss to the revenue of between £3,800 and £4,000. Whatever margin there was in the tariff had, in his opinion, already gone.—The amendment was carried by 30 to 25. Thereupon the Treasurer said that Mr Smith’s amendment would render the tariff unworkable, and later ou he should have to ask to have the Bill recommitted, with a view to further consideration.—Mr T. Mackenzie endeavored to have sateens, all prints, ginghams, and zephyrs also removed to the 10 per cent, class, but was defeated by 40 to 16. On the item “ Other cotton piece goods, 20 per cent, ad valorem,” Mr T. Mackenzie proposed to remove prints and printed cottons to the free list, which was also lost.

At two o’clock Mr Earnshaw moved to report progress, objecting to going into the boot question at that hour. —The Treasurer objected, and offered the suggestion that members should merely move amendments and not make speeches. The adoption of that course would enable the Committee stage to be finished at the present sitting. Mr Dutiiie had no objection to sit a short while longer, but lie would not be driven by a waggon whip. Members were having their health impaired by being kept until unreasonable hours.—Several members here cried “Adjourn, and meet again at 7.30 p.m.”—The Premier said he was willing to accept the suggestion, but the proposal was met by a storm of opposition from Messrs Thompson, Hogg, and others, and was almost drowned by cries of “Let’s go home to bed?” —The motion to report progress was carried by 38 to 20. When the resolutions were reported there were cries of “Adjourn till Monday,” but the Premier moved that the House do adjourn till 7.30 to-night.—To this Mr G. W. Russell moved as an amendment an adjournment till Monday evening.—The Premier appealed to the House to keep faith with him.—Messrs Bell, Dutiiie, and Crowther faid that the Premier having agreed to report progress on the understanding that they would meet again that night, they would support the motion for adjournment till to-night, which was carried by 32 to 21, and the House rose at 2.40.