GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 42, 18 July 1874, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

J? er Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency.') Wellington, July 18.

The Legislative Council this afternoon was occupied in discussing the Machinery Bill. On clause eleven “ That a person possessing machinery should send notices to the Inpector,” a division took place ;ayes 9, noes 9. The chairman gave his casting vote with the ayes. Clause retained. The Westland Loan Acts and Canterbury Domains Act were read for the first time. In the House of Representatives fourteen days’ leave has been granted to Mr Webster. Mr G. B. Pabkek asked the Minister of Public Works last night whether the railway from Timaru to Temuka would be completed before the next grain season. Mr Richardson said there would be no difficulty in having the line open for next grain season as far as Young’s Creek, but the contract time for the remainder of the line was fixed for the 6th day of May next year. On the motion for going into committee on the Commissioner of Customs excise proposals, considerable discussion ensued, many members being anxious that the matter should be referred to a Select Committee. The House went into committee of ways and means to consider the proposals of the Commissioner of Customs regarding the duty of colonial distilled spirits. Mr Reynolds explained that the Government had warned persons in Dunedin who had applied, notifying their intention to increase their premises, that that would not avail them if the Government thought it advisable to alter the duty. He had a return prepared, showing the barley grown and spirits distilled in the colony since the commencement of distilleries after the Act of 1868, The result showed that the revenue had lost £80606. For every bushel of grain grown in the colony and consumed in its distilleries Government had paid bonus of lid to Is 4d, and the loss in differential duty had been nearly 2s per bushel. Besides the growing of grain, contrary to expectations, had not been stimulated, but the reverse ; nor had the employment of labor been much. The Auckland Brewery employed only five permanent hands, though there were others casually employed in the Dunedin Distillery. Of two-thirds of the grain used a large proportion had been imported, many of the distilleries having to go to California for barley. Government had no intention or desire to embarrass, or injure, any private business in the slightest degree, and had no objections to entertain any recommendations of the Select Commmitte appointed to enquire into any claims made. Mr Sheehan objected that the Commissioner had not stated the case fairly. He agreed that distillation was a mistake. They were told that these distillers could distil gin, brandy, and all other kinds of spirits, enough to lead them to believe that this was a perfect paradise for distillers. What was the result ? They were told the speculation was not a paying one. This ought to be a warning to all holding extreme Protection views. On the other hand, he held that the answer returned to the Government letter by the Auckland brewers destroyed the value of that letter. His own view was that Government ought to stop the manufacture altogether, and indemnify those whom Government induced to join in it. Mr Yogel said they might as well decide the question now as at any other time, and settle the question of compensation afterwards. Sir F. Dillon Bell opposed the motion to report progress. He wanted to know how, when the Commissioner showed the colony was a large loser, and Mr Macandrew said the colonial distilleries were also losers, how both statements were reconcilable. Mr J. Shepherd expressed his opinion that the reason was that colonial spirits must exceed home spirits, or not at all. If colonial distilleries did not pay now they never would, and the quicker Government bought them out, and prohibited distillation altogether, the better. Mr Luckie agreed with the views of the Commissioner. He pointed out that the proposed charge was not at all out of way, nor such as i« suggest the idea of compensation. In 1863 the excise duty per gallon in Englanl was 7s ; Scotland, 2s 6d ; Ireland, 2s 8d ; and ytt when it was equal to 10s per gallon thioughout the whole kingdom

no one heard of any outcry or claim for compensation. As for distilling aiding in the promotion of agriculture, that was delusion, for the Southern brewers last year had to send to California for grain. Mr McGlashan though 'the ;idea of stopping distillation altogether, was a piece of absurdity. Stop that, and we should stop the importation of spirits. Mr Reid objected to the proposal to abolish an industry without the endeavor to discover whether it was not possible, in course of time, to recoup themselves fbr a large amount of money lost to the country through encouraging distillation. He demanded that distillation had ever been fostered as a means of aiding agriculture. He hoped the House would report progress. Mr Reader Wood said it was evident that ths first attempt at protection, was a failure, and he had no donbt that every such attempt would be like the first. The figures quoted bythecommissioner sufficiently showed that the proposals of the Government were wise, and left no alernative but to support them. If a committee was wanted for anything, it was for the question of compensation if brought for ward, but he saw no reason for compensation. Why did not the House last year appoint a committee of inquiry into hundreds of cases where hardship had resulted from the alteration in duties. He could not see that any prima facie case for compensation had been made out. He never saw a session that claims of a most preposterous character were not brought forward. It was time they set their faces against such a practice, and not almost invite a claim by appointing a committee to inquire into claims not yet made. Mr Tolmies asked that the petitions laid on the table regarding excise duty be read. The petitions were read. Mr Murray objected to the idea of destroying an industry before its having a fair trial. He would rather see home spirits not imported at all. Let them live upon what Scotland grew.