THE ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5024, 23 July 1903, Page 6

THE ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

APPEAL FOR REMISSION OP SEXY. The Petitions M to Z Committee of the House of Representatives having conaidered the demand ol the Wellington ami Dunedin Corporations and the Christchurch Tramway Board lor the remission of duty an electrical tramway plant which cannot be manuta-ciured in the colony, reported yesterday us lollows:--“Having considered the petition and evidence tendered on the question, tlio committee is of opinion'that tho proposed tramways are a public work lor the public, benefit and therefore recommend the Government to place a- sum of money on lhc estimates sufficient to refund the uu(y on tho various necessary appliances imported for tho work.” Mr Taylor urged this recommendation to the i'avoui v abJo consideration of tlio Government, pointing out that the proin Wellington. Ohrirtcaurch.and Dunedin wore quite different from that completed in Auckland, where the tramways were owned by private individuals. Only a very small portion of liio plant required could bo manufactured in the colony, and it was onlv lair that tne municipalities should be’ placed in the same position as the Government in coing work tor the whole of Uie community, and not for private profit. Mr Aitken endorsed tlio remarks of Mr Taylor, saying that while the idaut could not be admitted free, a precedent already existed by which the duues could be refunded afterwards. Mr Aitken also pointed out that though the Ivpe of boiler required for the Wellington’ system, had been altered so as to enable colonial manufacturers to supply tho boiler, it was found that the colonial manufacturers would require six mouths longer for the work, and ns the City Council did not think it wise to incur a delay of six months in the installation -M the system. B was decided to get the boiler from Home. Mr Miller also spoke on behalf of tlio remission of duly on the IfUnedra plant. Tho Premier said the Government was now asked practically to change tho tariff -or the benefit of the four centres:. An application ©f tin's kind had come from -Auckland, but had been refused; and they could not grant to Wellington ami Christchurch what had been refused to Auckland. Mr Taylor said that tho Auckland tramways were owned by a London, etiv diojite. Mr Aitken, in answer to a remark that the municipality had tho right to take over tlio Auckland tramways, said that this right could not bo exercised for thirty years. The Premier went on to say that every road board erecting a culvert would have tho right to ask for tho remission of duty on its cement, and the same argument would apply to harbour works. If they agreed that plant required for such works should come in duty free, well and good; but they ought not to start it in tlio way now proposed. It would moan a subsidy to the Wellington Christchurch ana Dunedin Tramways to the extent oi the duty. If they wore prepared to do this, well and good; but it was scarcely fan* to throw tlio responsibility upon the Government. He pointed out that if the Customs Act were altered in this way, trouble would ensue -with the local manufacturers, Mr Buchanan held that if this concession were granted, tho local bodie? would be equally entitled to be considered. Mr Hogg defended the concession, arguing that there was no relation between the cement required for local bodies and the electrical plant which could not be manufactured in tne colony. • Mr Aitken pointed out, in reply to tho Premier's remark regarding cement, that the "Wellington Corporation did not ask for the remission of duty on the cement: for the tramway works. The cement had already been obtained from inedchants who had paid the dutv. In the course of further discussion, Mr Hordmau said he thought the Government ought to pause before they granted this concession. An extremely dangerous precedent would bo established. Every local body which proposed to install electric light or to erect a bridge would have the right to ask for a similar remission of duty. v Mr remarked that it was not proposed that remissions should be given on articles which could be manufactured in the colony. The subject was debated until the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.