THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2410, 16 January 1895, Page 3

THE TARIFF COMMISSION.

TO THE EDITOR, Sin, —If further arguments than those adduced by yon this morning were required in favour of the Government appointments on the Royal Commission to consider the tariff during the recess, they are to be found in the Parliamentary paper I, 10, in the report of the Tariff and Industries Committee of the House. The report shows that the two select committees set up at the early stage of the session, viz., the Manufactures and Industries and Tariff Committees, were by resolution of the House amalgamated, and that tho two bodies consisted of thofollowingmembers, viz.: Messrs Carneli, Crowthor, Earnshaw, Graham, W. Hutchison', B. McKenzie, E. M. Smith, G. J. Smith, Allen, Duncan, Duthie, Hall-’ Jones, J. W. Kelly, Maslin, Mitchelson, Morrison, McGuire, Tanner, Captain Russell and tho Hon. J. G. Ward (mover). Mr W. Hutchison was elected chairman. On September 11th this combined committee reported to the House as follows :—“I have the honour to report that this committee have deliberated upon tho Customs tariff, which they have gone through item by item, and now forward to the Government their suggestions upon the same. The committee, while going into the subject as exhaustively as tho time at their disposal has allowed, desire to express their strong opinion that any revision of the Customs tariff must bo imperfect unless the opportunity be given of aeqniring requisite information at the various centres of the Colony in order that a reliable and comprehensive report may be furnished to guide the Government in suitably amending- the tariff j and for this purpose the committee are of opinion that, in the interests of the Colony, a Royal Commission should be set up forthwith to take evidence and go exhaustively, into the whole question and to report thereon.” * * * Signed W. Hutchison, chairman. Surely, sir, this alone entitles Messrs Hutchison, Tanner and Duthie to assist in the proceedings of the Royal Commission and Mr Hutchison to be its chairman. I know personally that'the Dunedin veteran was untiring in his attendance at the meetings of the committee during the session, and lam led to believe ■ that the above report was the general expression of the committee, each member of it having full opportunity to discuss it on its merits before it was Submitted to Parliament.—l nm, &c., O.bsf.rveh.