The Tariff.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1895, Page 2

The Tariff.

A caucus of the Government party was held yesterday when the tarifl was discussed, especially the item of boots and shoes, which had proved to be such a lion iij the way of the House on Saturday night and had the House gone to the vote on Mr Massey's amendment on Saturday night it would have been carried, and it was because they dreaded this that the Ministers did not keep the House to the business of the evening. Saturday's proceedings rendered yesterday's caucus necessary, and I believe that a great deal of persuasion was needed to secure unanimity. A number of members wished the duty reduced to 20 per cent while others wished to retain the 25, At last by way of compromise 22J per cent was agreed to. All this was known during the afternoon, and it sounded comical when Mr McLachlan in moving yesterday oveniug that the duty should pe 22$ per cent declared that he did so without prearrangement with anybody. The member for Nelson charged the Premier last night with disingenuousness, and while doing so he looked as though he meant it from the bottom of his heart. Apropos of Mr MoLachlan's action in championing a protectionist duty of 22| per cent, he being a professed freetrader, Mr Graham told a somewhat telling story. It was only the other day, he said, that Mr McLachlan had boasted of being the strongest limbod man in ihe House, but as to his backbone he had observed a most discreet silence. This sarcasm took with the House and all that Mr McLachlan could do was to snoit out something about that " paltry little corner called Nelson." It is said that the Colonial Treasurer would gladly drop the tariff altogether, but that the Premier will not listen to the proposal. There are members not a few, however, who think that the Treasurer is right, and that though the Government might be blamed for wasting time to no purpose it would really be to the interests of the colony to drop the tariff for the reason tl;ab it is not being reformed en large first principles or national lines, but aL best is a piece of patchwork. There is a rumour in the lobbies that the Premier would like to reinstate in a modified form tho duty on Island fiuits. Those who took tea out of bond while the duty was at 3d per lb must have made a pretty penny, as thero bus been no lowering ot the retail price. As a means of getting at the facts Mr Mctiuire wants a return showing how much was taken out of bond while the 3d duty was in force.