TARIFF BILL

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1921, Page 4

TARIFF BILL

ORDER-IN-COUNCIL POWERS.

MEMBERS TAKE EXCEPTION.

(Special to "Northern Advocate.")' WELLINGTON, This Day. Consideration of the Tariff Bill in committee was undertaken by ther House of Representatives last evening. Members had many suggestions to make for. the encouragement of local industries and for adjustment of the burden of taxation. Most of the criticiam related to minor points, and it appeared that the principles of the' tariff were generally accepted by the House. Several speakers urged removal of the tea duty.

The Labour members proposed that wages should automatically rise with any increase in the cost of living due to protective duties, and that industries producing necessaries of life and dependant on protection for their existence should be taken over by the Government, but these amendments were, ruled out of order as being outside the tariff. The clauses giving the Government power to vary the tariff by Order-in-Council were discussed at length. Members thought that Jhe rights of the House were not sufficiently safeguarded and that the use of wide powers by the Government was undesirable.

Mr Massey assured the House that'all tariff treaties and tariff adjustments made by the Government were intended to be subject to ratification by Parliament. He undertook to consult the At-torney-General as to whether the Bill was sufficiently clear on the point. The House adjourned at midsight after dealing with the Bill as far as the schedules.