THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 5

THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

REDUCTION OF DUTIES.

THE ISLAND TRADE.

By Telegraph..—Praa AissocLation.-OoiJyrtelA MKUiorsNT., November 28. In the Federal House, Mr. Kingston carried a proposal to reduce the duty on candles and raw materials used in their manufacture, lard, and refined animal fat, to a penny a pound. Mr. Watson carried an amendment reducing the duty on cocoa, chocolate, cocoa, butter, and caramel to a penny a pound. The duties on coffee, chicory, and eggs were carried. The Government agreed to withdraw the duty ol two shillings on New Zealand oysters after a protest from Sir W. McMillan that ho considered they had gone far enough in the way of prohibiting New Zealand products. The House is still discussing th« duties on fruits and vegetables. SYDNT.r, November 28. The petition of the merchants to Mr. Kingston points out that Sydney ia a natural entrepot of the Island trade. Tha value of the imports of Fiji from .New South Wales alone is over 86 per cent, of the whole imports from Australia and New. Zealand. Since the tariff has been in force steamers which previously came laden with fresh fruit havo arrived practically empty. The obvious result is that steamship owners must either relinquish the trade or so increase freights as to be unprofitable for Fiji merchants to operate in this market. The duty on Island ..ananas is absolutely prohibitive. They certainly are produced in Northern Queenslaud, but by Chinese, and it is urged thab it is not the policy of the Federal Government to encourage aliens to settle in the Commonwealth. Messrs. Bums and Philp state that as a result of the tariff they are communicating with New Zealand, as they may find it necessary to open a branch there. (Received November 23, 10.15 p.m.) Melbourne* November 28. This stonewall was kept going till the luncheon adjournment. On resuming at two o'clock another hour was spent in explanation of the position by both sides. Sir W. McMillan said he was satisfied. The Opposition having forcibly expressed its protest against the action of the Government he would withdraw his motion. Consideration of the tariff was then resumed. (Received November 23, 6.5 p.m.) Melbourne, November 28. In the Federal House the duties on fruits and vegetables in half-pints, pints, quarts, and gallons was agreed to. Sir W. McMillan moved, "That fruits not elsewhere included be placed on the free list," but this was negatived. , The Government, however, accepted Is per cental instead of the 2s proposed. The debate waxed hot. Sir George Turner angrily told Sir W. McMillan that lie would not make a single compromise in the tariff, because they might get fruit on the free list instead of accepting the Government offer of a shilling. Mr. Watson moved to reduce bananas to sixpence a cental. The Government accepted one shilling. Sir W. McMillan vainly asked the Government to adjourn, as they had been sitting since -past ten o'clock yesterday. He then moved, "That the chairman leave the chair," and a vigorous stonewall followed, the intention of the Opposition being to prevent the resumption of the tariff till this afternoon. (Received November 29, 1.13 a.m.) Melbourne, November 28. Duties of Is 6d a cental on wheat, and malting barley were passed after an attempt to place the former on the free list. TheGovernment agreed to a reduction in the duty to a halfpenny a pound on oatmeal, rolled oats, wheatmeal, pearl barley, and Scotch barley. Mr. Watson carried an amendment reducing the duty on maizena and cornflour to a naupenny. The duty on bran, pollard, and sharps, Is; and grain pulse, not elsewhere included, 2s 6d a cental, was passed. _______