The Wine Duties.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10269, 27 April 1899, Page 4

The Wine Duties.

[per press association].

TbY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH — COPYRIGHT.] "

(Received April 27, at 12 30 am.) London, April 26. The Colonial Agents-General had an interview lasting an hour with Sir M. Hicks-Beach relative to the duties on wines. The result is kept secret, biit it is understood that Sir M. Hicks-Beach replied on the lines of his answer to the j question in the House of Commons and promised to consider the representations. There is an impression that nothing ■will be considered this year. (Received April 27,* at 040 am) : London, April 26. The deputation, to Sir M Hicks-Beach consisted of the Agente-General of Capo Colony, Canada, New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand and South Australia. Sir E Clarke represented the grave injury of the duties to tho smaller wine growers who were struggling to develop a new industry. He combatted Sir M Hicks-Beach's idea that the impost wastoo trivial to decrease the consmption. Icis believed that the question may be re considered in 1900. The st«*mp duties wero not mentioned by the deputation. Fifty-five members of the Commons, chiefly Unionists, have signed a memorial requesting the Colonies to be from an increase in the wine duties. Bordeaux experts believe that the duties will nob benefit Britain, mentioning the fall in the exports when the American duties were raised and Goschen's renouncing a similar project in 1888. - .