TARIFF COMMISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10305, 12 March 1895, Page 2

TARIFF COMMISSION.

The Tariff Commission resumed its sittings in the City Council Chamber* yesterday.

James Neil (president of the Ofcsgo Protect tion Society), JH. Lethaby" (treasurer), J. Ny Merry "(secretary), P.. Rankia,,and 8. Slesinger i attended as a deputation from ihe society/ Ttejr stated their views is regard to fchetariff, and gavij' expression to their opinions as (o what 6houl(I .be done respecting certain imported articles which could ba manufactured in the colony. After listening to the remarks of ths deputation, the commission decided—" That as the statement of the deputation is cob evidence bub simply assertion, it ba not included in the evidence, but that a precis of the same be supplied to the newspapers." ' ' H. lethaby asked that silks and tassels of a certain width and quality, used in the manufacture of umbrellas, be admitted duty free. Alexander Bart (of Messrs A. and T. Burt) and Archibald Morrison (of Messrs Morrison and Ci>.) attended and pointed out the hardship of mining, dairy, and agricultural implements being imported fcee, while all other machinery for manufacturing purposes was dutiable! They advocated that all such machinery should be pat; on au equal footing, and that the admitting of one class of machinery frea which could> be> manufactured in the colony was inimical to the; best interests of the colony. ; Charles Rawling, of Lawrence, Bnggested1 that the duty on certain articles ueed by miners—powder, hardware, leather, and other things—should be admitted free. John White and Frank Oakden (representing the Milburn Lime and Cement Company) gave further evidence in favour of increased duty on imported cement. Several other witnesses were examined, who did not wish their names or the nature of their evidence disolcned.

The commissioners will visit the Roslyn Woollen and Worstad Mills at 9 o'clock this morning, and! will later on in the day visit other factories la Dunedin. The members of the commission leave for Oamaru by the expresa traia to-morrow morning.