PARLIAMENTARY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 26 June 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EVENINtTsiTTING. Per Press Association. "Wellington, June 22. The House resumed at 7.30. Maizena and cornflour, Is per lOOlbs. — Mr Mitchelson said this would be reconsidered. Messrs Taylor and Cowan hoped that Government would not increase the duty.

Wooden matches, Is per gross.—Mr Kerr thought the duty too heavy, and wanted it reduced to 6d. Mr Mitchelson pronrsed to reconsider it. Metal manufactures, 20 per cent.—Mr Menteath moved to strike it out.

Lost by 49 to 26. The item was amended so as to include bolts and nuts of whatever size, but beyond this it was passed as it stood, although several attempts were made to strike out various articles, and several divisions took place. Preserved milk, 20 per cent. Mr Barron Baid this was going too far; miners in particular depended on this article of food.

Messrs R. Reeves, Ward, Mills, Hobbs and O’Connor spoke stronly in favor of New Zealand preserved milk, and stal ed that a number of factories were already waiting to start up in addition to those already established. The item was retained.

Trimmed hats, caps and bonnets, 25 per cent.—The Hon Mr Mitchelson explained that Government had found out that these articles were only imported as samples, and as a differential duty would cause a lot of trouble and bring in little or nothing, theyproposed to strike the item out.

A number of members objected, on tbe ground that millinery of this sort was a luxury, and consequently should be heavily taxed.

On the voices, the item was retained. Cod liver oil, 15 per cent. —This item was struck out because, as the various members put in, this would be virtually a tax on the suffering 1 .

Patent and proprietary medicines, 25 per cent.—Dr Tanner moved to strike out proprietary medicines, explaining that there was a great difference between the two, as doctors would prescribe the latter and not the former. Lost on the voices.

In answer to a question, the Hon Mr Mitchelson said the item did not include sheep dip, which it was intended to place on the free list. Pearl, ash and potash, 15 per cent.— Struck out.

Pepper, unground, 2d per tin.—Dr Fitchett pointed out that the local grinders of pepper were in a worse position under this tariff than they were under the old one.

The Hon Mr Mitchelson promised to consider the matter.

Pictorial calendars, etc., 25 per cent.— Dr Pitchett asked Government to consider the propriety of including theatrical illustrated posters. Mr Mitchelson returned a favorable reply. The date at which the item was to come into force was altered to June, 1889.

Provisions, preserved, 20 per cent. — “ Preserved ” was struck out in order to include butter, cheese, &c., in the item. . Pumps and other apparatus for raising water, 20 per cent.—Mr K. Eeeves desired to have the item struck out, as these pumps were most material to the mining industry. Mr Mitchelson allowed the words “ not otherwise enumerated ” to he added to meet the difficulty. Railway and tramway plant, 20 percent. —Sir J, Hall asked that the i : ;em should be postponed, as it would materially interfere with the midland railway' Mr Mitchelson said prices were much lower now, and no injury would accrue. Mr E. Richardson expressed surprise. One party to a contract could not vary it to the injury of the other. Mr Seddon pointed out that items had already been passed which both affected that company and other contractors. Hon Ml- Mitchelson said in such cases it was provided contractors could recover extra cost. .

After some further discussion, the item was passed. Rice, 6s per lOOlbs.—Mr Taylor moved to reduce it to 4s.

Lost by 42 to 38. Salt, except rock salt, LI per ton.—Hon Mr Mitohelson said he proposed to exempt coarse salt also.

Captain Russell moved to strike the item out altogether. Mr Seddon wanted to know whether the Hon Mr Mitchelson’s action was a compromise with those opposed to the duty on tea. (Cries of “Oh.”) He understood it bad been considered and decided on in Cabinet. He called on Ministers to substantiate what he had said, and remarked that he had taken down in writing the substance of a conversation on the subject. Mr Turnbull hoped that Ministers would pay no attention to the member who wanted to bring conversations iD the lobby upon the floor of the House. Mr Seddon objected to Mr Turnbull’s tone. ■ .

Hon Mr Fergus said Mr Seddon had entirely misrepresented what had taken place. It was a private conversation between himself and two other members, in which Mr Seddon had joined. He asked if an arrangement had been made, and he (Mr Fergus) referred him to the Hon Mr Mitchelson, but he had never said an arrangement had been made, nor had there been one.

Much argument followed as to the effect of exempting coarse salt from duty, some members understanding that there was hut little difference in the price of fine and coarse salt, and that it was fine salt which was generally used for household and other purposes, and that it required relief most. Mr Mills suggested that the duty should be reduced to 10s instead of a LI all pound. Captain’s Russell’s amendment was lost by 41 to 36. Mr Seddon moved to exempt fine salt in bags.—Lost by 44 t0"34. Hon Mr Mitchelson said he would withdraw his amendment and reduce the duty instead to 10s per ton. Opposition being raised to the withdrawal, a division was taken and the amendment negatived by 41 to 36. The duty was then reduced at Hon Mr Mitchelson’s instance to 10a per ton all round. Spices, 3d per lb.—Hon Mr Mitchelson asked to have pepper included.—Agreed to. Spirits, 15s per gallon. Hon Mr Mitchelson said he would consider the propriety of making some exception in the case of underproof spirits. Stationery, 25 per cent.—Mr Taylor moved the reduction to 15 per cent. Lost by 45 to 21. Progress was then reported end the House rose at 1.50.