PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume x, Issue 1957, 16 June 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.")

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, June 14. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE CUSTOMS TARIFF BILL.

Mr. D. Lawry continued the debate. He looked on the tariff as chiefly revenue producing, and would not vote for it were it purely protective.

Messrs. Reeves (Inangahua) and Fulton spoke briefly for and against the bill.

Sir J. Hall said he could not suoport the amendment, which was reaUy one of no confidence. How was tbe money required to be raised ? It could not be done by raising the property tax, and he had yet to hear practical definition of what was meant by a land and income tax. The Customs was really the only channel by which money could be obtained. Compared with other countries the tariff was by no means high, and it would no doubt encourage the establishment of new industries. He should now take means to put our finances on a sound basis, and tempt people to invest their money here, but they would not do this if tbe colony were to be made afield for political experiments aud " fads." He felt tbe country endorsed tbe Government policy, and would heartily approve of it.

Messrs. Barron and Ross having delivered a few remarks, the House divided, and the motion for going into Committee was cerried by 50 to 27.

Sir H. Atkinson said there were no two of the freetraders who agreed in their speeches as to what ought to be done in place of the Government proposals. He reviewed the circumstances under which the Ministry had been formed to show that it was clearly understood he was to frame a policy, and those who had made him Premier could support it or not as they chose. There was no bond of any kind, so how could the freetraders say they had been betrayed and deserted. No Governmenthad ever carried out such work as his had without a srong party at their back. Yet this following was not a party at all, but merely an aggregate of members. Much as he regretted losing old friends still he must do his duty to hiß country irrespective of friends. He must also tell the Opposition, some of whom had taunted the Government with doing their work, that the Government were doiag the work of no party, but pursuing their own convictions of what was necessary for the country. Speaking generally, he said the Government were still continuing the work of reduction, and intended to do so wherever they could. As to sources of fresh taxation, he had his eye on several, but they must have something in reserve. It was of the utmost importance that the tariff should remain fixed for some time to come, and that was one of the reasons why he had not touched sugar and other articles, which, if necessary, could be taxed at a future date, without disturbing the trade. The bill was considered in committee. Clause 1 was passed, and progress reported. The House adjourned at midnight.