THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE TARRIF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1168, 29 September 1865, Page 5

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE TARRIF.

A sDecial meeting of the Chamber of Amerce was held in the offices, at the 'ffiium,yesterday afternoon, « tbtake into consideration the proposed alteration M* Q^VRsnvLL, Vice-President, oc--,«nied the chair ; and there were present, SSb3. Wl, M.H.R., M.P.C. ; J. Kite, J. L? Rutterworth, C. CaldJdl 3A. Carrick, J. Davie, H. Driver, t A Ewen, J. Griffen," Henderson Law, T B Mudie, J. Pantlin, J. Rattray, J. iJa' G. G." Resell, W. A. Tolmie, J. &n, J. T. Wright, and M. Sholl, Secretary. • ~,,,., .. The Chairman said that the meeting BJbeen called,'because some members of {be Chamber, knowing that Mr Vogel was in towflt tiesired to bear from him'what was going on in the As-embly with regard to the Tariff, and to enable any resolutions which might be considered necessaryto be massed. No doubt, all present, would have teen it reported that the Government intended to propose a revision of the Tariff thia session, although the particular operations contemplated were not yet known. He inferred that the intention wa3 not to affect the gross amount realised, but to re-distribute the duties in some more equitable manner. The Chamber would be glad to hear Mr Vogel. Mr YOGEL said that they had very little information in the Assembly in regard to the proposed dealing with the Customs Duties; and perhaps the subject to which the Chamber would wish first to direct attention, was the necessity of obtaining a larger amount ot information Ibaii the Government had yet been pleased {0 vouchsafe. The Assembly knew that

when the Financial Statement was made,

• the Government came down with an estimate showiner. a very .-large increase upon the Customs llevenue of the previous year. The amount for that year was L 637,900, which included six months and a half of the increased duties; whilst for the preceding year, the amount was L 617,000. The estimate of the Treasurer, of the yield of the Customs Revenue for the present year, was L 780,000, thus showing a very large increase, as the estimate was understood to be made on the existing duties; and he believed the Treasurer looked to a much larger consumption than hitherto, because of the West Coast gold fields. The Treasurer, in making his statement, said—

The revenue from Customs is based upon an estimate made by my l.on. rriend the Comraia sioner of Ou«tom-j according to whose f given the sura of 17-0 030 may be fniry. calculated to b3 derive;! from that a^urno, supco-inK the present tariff were m&inbii ied. And .although it i« proposed tn bring forward a revision of* the tariff yet the Govercnjeufc .does not contemplate, nor, indued, ■would .the requirement.l! of .either tlio Gfneral or Provincial Goven xu^nta admit of any lesser sura heing raved from.lbia source.

So that, although there was to be a re-dis-tribution of duiies, the Government propose to raise, in the aggregate, at least the amount stated. Last session, the new Customs Dut'es Bill was rushed through its three readings in one nieht. and members had no opportunity of judging of the effect of the proposed increases. It was determined that, tliis session, a different plan should be adopted—one similar to that which was adopted in Victoria ami else-whfiTe—'-anil thie resolution was moved by tfle Treasurer, in concluding his statement:—

That it is definable to revise the present Tarifl and that the Hbn the Commissioner of Cus'oius 4>e authorised <o take 6'inh measures aa iu«y b newssaty for the collection of any new dmie pendir.g the discussion of the resolution..

This resolution was carried ; and be wanted the Chamber.to remember it lest it should be urged tbat, in laying the details before the country, before passing them, scope would be given for great and prejudicial speculation. What was meant was that the duties should be submitted in anticipation of passing them in a Bill, there beirjg provision meanwhile for collecting them temporarity. The Government came down with a proposal for fresh taxation in the shape of Stnmp Duties; and the Hoiise, becoming uneasy on the question whether it was intended also to increase the Customs Duties, the Government were at once asked to lay the proposed Tariff before the country—after taking precautions for the collection of the duties, meanwhile —so that the public might nave an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon it., All that was learned, however, was that the new Tariff was not prepared—that the Government had determined not to reduce the aggregate amount, although there might be reductions in the case of some articles—and that whether the aggregate of the Customs Duties would be increased or not, would simply depend upon the course taken by the House in regard to the Estimates and the contemplated new taxes. Still,- he thought tha> it would tend very much to *trengthen the hands of the ;O?ago members, if the Chamber—supposing such should meet the views of members—would. Pass resolutions, declaring-, firstly, that they desired no increase of the Customs Duties, but rather a reduction of them; and, secondly, that the new Tariff ought to bs before the country for a sufficient time to allow of an expression of opinion concerning it. He might point out that the late iucrease in the.Customs Duties had been proved by official figures to be a totil failure. The Treasurer, in proposing the increase lsst session, estimated that it would yield Ll 98,000 per annum, and that, without the increase, the duties would yield L 605,000. In fact, the Customs Revenue for the whole year, amounted to L 837,900; or, in other words, the increase, instead of yielding at the rate of Ll 96,000 a-year, had only yielded L32 ; 00O during the first six and a half months of its existence. J-his proved, he thought, that by increasing Customs Duties to such an amount as *ut! existing ones, either population was oriven away, and consumption consequently, fliminished, or else smuggling was encouraged. Indeed, he believed it^ was notorious, that in Auckland spirits and tobacco could be purchased for less than "ie arcount.of the duty. The question ''""eh he wanted the Chamber to decide now, was, whether it was thought by members that Major Richardson, Mr £»ziierbert, and their colleague* in the government, had that amount of : commercial knowledge .which, .would:- fnable *Bern to decide what duties should be imth? L° r whether ifc w*>«ld not be better Upo h counlry BfIOUW express an opinion a. F r,Owvßa thought there could not be * aoubt aa to the advantage of comiDg to

such a feeplntipn as that 'which had been suggested: for tfie country ought"to know beforehand what the purposed chances in the Tariff were.

Mr Vogel said that the Government professed a willingness to lay the information before the country; but they did not do it. The sesaiori was drawing to a close ; and yet, very recently, the Government declared that they had not decided what changes they would propose. , •; ..Mr Oliver,.said it was one of the results of the union of the two islands, that public opinion was not brought to bear upon legislation wnileit -was in progress—, indeed, the power of public opinion seemed to be altogether lost here; and if it could be brought to bear upon the question of tbe Tariff, it was extremely desirable, that the thing should be done.: Whether any recommendations would be in time, before the imposition of of new taxes, was questionable; but it would be remembered how, in that room, Major Richardson told the Chamber that the new duties imposed last session were only intended to be temporary, and that the probability was the Government would revert to the old scale, or, at least, modiiy the new one. That did not seem to be contemplated now; which made it all the more desirable that, before the fresh changes became law, the country should have time to make recommendations. Mr Davie thought it would be better if the Government would submit the basis of the new Tariff. The temporary collection of duties under a resolution of the House I was calculated to disturb seriously the operations af merchants in ordering goods I from Britain. Mr Oliver said that it wa3 not possible ito escape such a collection ; and the duties would be temporary only in the even! of their not being approved of by the House. If it was allowed to.be known what was to be proposed, and there was no resolution for the temporary collection of the duties, men might co deal with goods as to avoid all the increased duties. Such information was allowed to ooze out in Sydney; and friends of the Ministry made fortunes, in consequence. Immediately a proposed new du'y was disclosed, it must be levied— there was no help for that. Mr Rattray was sure that the Chamber agreed on two things—that the Tariff ought to be re-modelled ; and that time for consideration of the proposed changes ought to be given. *■ Mr Oliver moved— I That xn; Icine: due provision for the tempoviry i cKlh'cuon of tbe riew dulief, it is (ksirable that, nny proposal to alter tin Tariff" shoi-11 ba laid betore the country sufficiently long toe-able thf'se ictftre,stpd in tbe alterations to express an opinion thereon. • Mr Watson seconded the motion; and, after a short conversation, it was unanimously agreed to. Mr Rattbay moved — Thsfc this .Ohamtet* Is of opinion that the preset Tariff requhefi adjustment; nn3 also, tb; fc it 5a not desirable', the aggregate amount ot Cuß'cms Duties shou d be increased.. .Mr Caheick seconded the motion; and it was unanimously adopted. Mr BcTTERWoETii moved — That th" Chamber is of opinion that the required amount of revenue should be raised on ns few articlr-i as possible, without the rate on nny item being so high bb to induce parties to attempt to citTracuitbe rever.m by srougglinir. '' That all articles of luxury ehould be included in th« T.-iriff, liut anything used in the develo"rnect of tlio various branches of loo.il industry tbould be excluded ps much as possib'e. That as far a3 Is practicable ond consistent with tlie forep;''inft principles, the imports liable for clnty should consist of goods on which there vetitie can be easily and securely levied. That, inonler to avoid the difficult!:- which are constantly arising as to what goods are liable, and the pc-sibility of different rales beinnr levied at different-ports, no discretion should (is at present) be left to the Government official*, but every article ruV jsct to duty tbould be distinctly spe-cifi-rf. Mr Wihtelaw seconded the motion; which was unanimously adopted. Mr Carrjck said he presumed it was understood that copies of the resolutions would be forwarded to the Otago members of the Assembly by the next day's steamer. The Secretary said that he would attend to the matter. . STEAM SERVICES. Mr Vogel asked whether the Chamber contemplated taking any action with respect to the steam services. It was rumored that there was a strong desire to get rid of the Melbourne and Otago service. A Committee had been moved for*p|fi the subject generally, and there were members on the proposed Coaaniltee who were known to be heart and soul for tbe Panama service,, before every tbing.else. ■The Chairman said that, some months ago, the Chamber communicated with the Government, through the Superintendent,; with respect to the Melbourne service; and the reply was that there was ho intension of interfering with it. Mr Vogei. thought that if the House would" get rid of that service, the Govern'inent would feel very much obligedl; but Uihe "Government did not like to take the Responsibility themselves. Already, however, they had shown what they intended as to the inter-provincial services, by call-, ing for tenders; for three trips a month, instead of six, as at present. Mr Watson was sure that it would be a great calamity to lose the mail communication between Otago and Melbourne. The Chairman thought the present difficulty'was this—lf the Chamber appealed to the Government, there would be a reply referring to the previous answer, that itwas not intended to interfere with the Melbourne service. The Secretary read a communication which was addressed to the members of the Assembly last session; and the lelttr from tbe Government to, the Superintendent, before referred to. Mr Vogel was satisfied that the loss of the three inter-provincial trips monthly would be seriously injurious. Mr Rattray-thought that the slightest probability of the withdrawal of the Melbourne service ought to provoke a strong protest from'th'e Chamber. Nothing could compensate Otago for interruption of the communication with Melbourne. , Mr Vogel said that the Government had only put on the Estimates the contribution to ,tbe Suez service for six months, as if doing away with the one from Melbourne to Otago was contemplated ; and they had also written to the Victorian - Government, asking it ■ tfiey would paypart of ihe cost of the latter :??Tl£r SecrotaW - 'eaia" that "there was Major Richardson's personal assurance to the Chamber, that under no circumstances whatever would the communication between Victoria and Otago be severed. Mr Vogel said that three lines, in tfce 1

•Ast ," Report, on the., Postal Service of iNiew Zealand,^ were quite enough to cause serious uneasiness. The Postmaster-Gene-ral wrote-r-. > , ■ , .„ .<

Turning, then,' to <*c expenditure ride of th> ■cwnnt,.. with a view of ascertaining what jidicrouß retrenchments mi.ht be effected, the ±.63,391 Ob Id being paid as subsidies to steam vessels plyiDg in A sEtralagianl waters.

Mr Rattbat moved— That a irfropg ;repr<*entatfon' be made fo ihe members s^ainst the -isrontt nuance of the Wail fenrlee between M-lboume and Port Obalmer?. Messrs Turnbull, Mm ie, aod the mover to form a Commhue to communicate oh the matter. ' ' :' '■ ...

Mr Davie seconded the motion ; which was unanimously agreed to. Mr Davie moved that the best thanks of the Chamber be given to Mr Vogel, for the information he had given with respect to the Tariff; with the expression of a hope that he would continue his zealous services on the subject, when he returned to his place in the Assembly. Mr Bottebworth seconded the motion; and it was adopted unanimously and briefly acknowledged.' Mr Oliver thought it should be impressed upon members of the Chamber, how, important it was that they should attend to their duties. By inaction, they had penmtted a great wrong to be done to the Port,, by 'the removal of the tug Samson —a wrong -which he believed might have b;en averted, by energetic action. Thanks were,voted to Mr Turnbull, for. presiding, and the meeting waa adjourned.