PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

REVISED TARIFF RAPID PROGRESS MADE three items deferred further deputations FINAL STAGE ON TUESDAY [by Tr.T.EGRArn —SPECIAL reporter"] "WELLINGTON. Friday Like thf! American yacht Rainbow, Parliament caught a favourable slant of wind on the homeward run to-day, with the result that tho final Committee stages of the Customs Acts Amendment Bill were rapidly passed and the House rose 55 minutes before the normal hour of the week-end adjournment. Although the debate, which had begun on Thursday of last week, had Boirte tedious phases, the ultimate result was-very satisfactory from the departmental point of view. Dr. G. Craig, Comptroller-General of Customs and chairman of the recent Tariff Commission, said the time occupied by the House was the shortest in his experience pf general revisions of tariff. Close Scrutiny Given Many items came under close Scrutiny, and it was obvious that most members had been efficiently briefed Jjy representatives of various industries. As a very full opportunity had been given for representations, first to the Commission and later to the Minister |>f Customs, Mr. Coates, it was fairly ievident from the outset, that the Government was not likely to make any further substantial adjustments. However, Mr. Coates agreed to defer three items, namely, radio sets, electric stoves and iron pipes, on which further representations will be made to him on Monday. It is anticipated that the duties on these items will be finally fixed by the House on Tuesday, when the third reading will also be given tp the bill. The greater part of to-day's deliberations was focussed on tinware and motor vehicles. There was a tendency jto raise the town versus country issue pn the former item. The Labour Party expressed concern at the reduction of the duty, and there was general critifcism of the Government for "lowering the lowest, tariff wall in the world." as Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour —Avon) phrased the situation. A Seasonable Reduction However, Mr. Coates contended that the reduction of 5 per cent was reasonable, and jkras only half the amount of th<) reduction proposed by tho commission. The industry had been built up tinder a 25 per cent tariff, and should be able ijo continue under a 20 per cent tariff without cutting the wages of one worker.

Several hours were spent by memBel's in debating one of the most difficult of all the items in the tariff—motor vehicles. There was a fairly Btrong feeling that greater preference should be accorded to British manufacturers, and the suggestion was made that the application of the new duties should be .'deferred until after the expiry of the treaty with Canada next year. Eventually the House approved of the new duties on the voices. Several times th.e division l>ells were set ringing on various items, but in all cases tjbe issue was not pressed to a division. After a minor hold-up on the furniture duties, the House allowed the last 50 items to pass without comment. Considering the Estimates

Progress • was reported to Mr. Speaker, and then Mr. Coates. with a twinkle in his eye, asked whether it :was the wish of the House to proceed to new business in the period of 55 minutes which remained. "There appears to be no// enthusiasm," replied tho deputy-Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. P/ Fraser, whereupon Mr, Coates moved the adjournment. After the bill is dealt with finally on Tuesday, the House will begin another long task, the consideration of the Estimates, which will k6ep it occupied for a day or two weekly for severe* jreeks. / QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE EVIDENCE TO COMMITTEE DIVULGENCE ALLEGED [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday A point'of privilege was raised in the House of Representatives to-day by the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Government — Wairarapa), as chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee. Mr. McLeod said that the evidence given by the secretary of the New Zealand Master Bakers' Association had teen distributed to members of the House. No doubt it was done inadvertently, or through want of knowledge, but under the rules of Parliament, it >ras apparently a breach of privilege. Mr. Speaker ruled that a prima facie ®ase had been made out. He said it might not be generally known that it not- permissible to divulge evidence given before a committee. The matter was referred to a committee of privilege. REMOVAL OF DUTIES LABOUR PROTESTS MADE * CRUDE OIL IMPORTATIONS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday

Consideration of the schedules to the Customs Acts Amendment Bill was resumed in the House of Representatives to-day. The removal of the 20 per cent duty cri axles, axlearms, bogies and trucks for railway or tramway vehicles was referred to by the Leader of Opposition. Mr. M. J. Savage, who said a great amount of expensive machinery had been bought to make those articles. The Minister knew what machinery Was in the railway workshops, but now apparently the goods were to come in from outside. The Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, eaid that Mr. Savage was under a misapprehension. The only duty on bogies and trucks had been 20 per cent and none of /them was imported as the railway workshops made all that were required.

The i itcin was passed. Mr. P. C. Webb (Labotlir-Buller) challenged the free entry of crude oil, stating that oil was displacing coal and was putting miners out of work. That \v£s an avenue by which revenue could bo increased at the expense of foreign interests. A division %ras not called, for and jthe item Avas passed. The remaining items were put jfchrough without discussion. Progress ►as reported and the Houso roast.