DEPUTATION TO SIR J. G. WARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12991, 4 June 1904, Page 4

DEPUTATION TO SIR J. G. WARD.

DRAINAGE BOARD MACHINERY.

A deputation consisting nf Mr ft. jfileri: dining (chairman), Dr Coughl-rey, the' Hon. H. ticiurley, Messrs J. T. N. Anderson, and T. A. Esther; members and officials of the Dunedin Drainage lioard, was introduced to Sir J. It. Wnrd yesterday morning by Mr ,T. A. Millar, M.11.R.

Mr Millar, in introducing thn deputation, said the gentlemen accompanying him desired to seo Sir Joseph in regard to soino Diesel oil engines they had ordered from Knghiid. Tlio intention had.been Ilint tliey should be manufactured there, hut. (is they were larger than usual llio order-had had to be sent to Switzerlund, They wore ordered in July, 1903, and one had already arrived, and the rrel were expected in a month or two. Tho preferential tariff had been put upon these because they had , been manufactured in Switzerland. .The act had made provision for certain articles of this kind being, undor peculiar uircuinstaiicci>, admitted free 'from tho preferential tariff. The board thought that, seeing the order had been sent away before tho oxistence of the preferential tariff, that tariff should not ha charged upon' tho ongims, and that the pumps, though not* for mining, wore- for public purposes, and should not bo burdened with tho tariff.

Dr Coughtrcy said they would hand in a statement of the matter, ami the further plea might be added that drainage of n city was worthy of oven more consideration than I nun traction.

Sir Joseph said lie understood the position, and would be vary glad to'bring the matter under, tho notice- of the Minister, in older that".it might come up early in the Cabinct meeting. The duty could not, however, i)c remitted. It would have to bo paid for a certainty, as no Minister could givo' authority that an article should come in without payment of duty; but it was a proper thing lo coifsider in, connection with the Estimates. Tho only authority for the remission ,of duty was tho House. Dr Coughtrey: Wo tried to make it a British manufacture, but it could not be done. Now tho machinery can bo made in Great Britain. ' ... Sir Joseph: I will sec that the 'matter is fully considered. : The deputation thon withdrew.