THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11801, 2 November 1901, Page 5

THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

CENSURE DEBATE FINISHED.

GOVERNMENT MAJORITY OF 14. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— CopyriffW(Received November 1, 9.7 p.m.) Melbourne, November' 1. Lv the Federal House to-day the debate on Mr. Reid's motion respecting the Federatariff came, to an end, the motion being defeated by 39 to 25. The motion "was as follows: —1. That this House cannot »c cept the financial and tariff proposals submitted by the Government —(a) because they would place the finances of the Commonwealth and the States upon an unsound ana extravagant basis; (b) because they fail to adjust the burdens of taxation and the advantages of the free list in an equitable manner, revealing a marked tendency, v hich this House regrets to observe, to press upon necessaries of life and appliances used in our farming, mining, and pastoral industries more heavily than they do upon many articles of luxury; (c) and because they would in their operation destroy the stability of the revenue by making imposts for national purposes a source of undue profit to a few individuals and a few favoured industries at the expense of the whole community. 2. That the foregoing resolutions be conveyed, by address, to His Excellency the Governor-General. (Received November 2, 1.5 a.m.) Melbourne, November 1. Mr. Kingston ably summed up on behalf of The Government traversing the Opposition attacks and defending the tariff. He said if they get a chance of reducing the duties on the necessaries of life and raw material they would do so. Mr. Eeid was in bis best form, and in a lively speech, occupying three hours, said he would strive to reduce the tariff to reasonable proportions, but a tariff framed like this was almost incapable of reasonable amendment. It was the duty of the Opposition to make a genuine revenue tariff, and to reduce the duties on the primary industries and the necessaries of life. Direct taxation was better left to the States. lie hoped the Go vernment would find some means of placing the tariff before the people. Nearly everybody would vote against it. He was prepared to accept a tariff as permanent for at least 10 years on the strength of a plebiscite. There would be no rest till the people had decided the matter. The Government might feel pretty snug now with their docile following, but it would be done.