PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1895, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY.

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, September 23.

The House met at 7'30 The Customs and Excise Dutieß Bill was further considered in Committee. Disoussion was resumed on tne items boots, shoes, slippers, &0., 25 per oent, and Mr Massey's amendment to reduce the duty to 20 per cent.

Mr Ward said he would not accept Mr Masßey's amendment as it would mean serious loss to the revenue, but he should be prepared to accept a reasonable oompomise. Mr Massey: What is a reasonable compromise ? Mr Ward : Say 22jr V™ oent- ' Captain Jtiussell said this proposal of the Treasurer's showed there was some principle of reasoning on the part of the Government after all. He thought, however, this splitting of the differences on the part of the Government was the most inglorious termination of Saturday evening's performance that could possibly be witnessed. He hoped that the members who were in favour of 20 per cent would not allow themselves to be talked over by the Government to vote for 22* per cent, which was an exoessive duty. Mr McLaohlan .thought 22 J per oent "was a very reasonable compromise; There had been no cauous of the Government supporters on the subject. Members had met together in the Whips' room that inorniug in an informal manner, and after talking the matter over, had agreed that 22$ per cent was a fair compromise, ihe proposal had not emanated from the Colonial Treasurer, or from any other member of the Government.

Several other members who -were present bore out Mr MoLaohlan in this statement.

In the course of the discussion, whioh lasted nearly three hours, Mr Seddon mentioned that as the result of private* members tinkering with the tariff, the Government would have to reoommit the Bill to reconsider the fruit duty, as the wrong months had been eeleoted during whioh the duty should be lowered.

On a division on tbe boot item, the words "25 per cent" were struok out by 49 to 17. Mr Massey's amendment to substitute 20 per cent was then put and iloßt by 89 to 27. Mr McLaohlan then^moved to make the duty 22J per cent ad valorem, whioh was carried by 89 to 27.