CRISIS ON THE TARIFF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14000, 5 September 1907, Page 8

CRISIS ON THE TARIFF

A REBUFF FOR THE GOVERNMENT. PROGRESS REPORTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 4. Tho Government suffered another rebuff in connection with its tariff proposals tonight, when, on the motion of Mr Herries, it was resolved to strike out tho duty of 5 per cent, on mining machinery. Sir Joseph Ward made a strong speech in support of the proposal, urging that the total amount of duty, if spread over-all the mines in New Zealand, would be' 1 a inero ' bagatelle. Mr Poland pointed out that' it was a small thing for wealthy companies like the Wnihi Company, j)ut a' serious matter for companies that were not paying or : that were only prospecting for metals. Other members interested in' mining districts sj-oke in tho same strain. Mr W. Fraser, in the course of a brief but interesting speech, urged- that there wero great prospects in connection with the mining industry in Now 'Zealand. Geologists wero at present employed by the Government reporting qn other metals than gold, and tho? future was big twitli possibilities. Under 6U'ch circumstances the Government, instead of discouraging, should encour.igo tho mining industry in every way. At all events, it 'should not discourage it, by putting on this tax. i The Government fought hard for its proposal, but it. was of no avail. As members trooped into the lobbies it wjs 6een that the division would be a close one, and when Mr Herries's amendment' was announced to be carried by 32 to 30 there was some applause. The following was the division'list:

Ayes (32).—Messrs J. Allen, Bennet, Bollard, Colvin, Dillon, Duncan. Field, Eraser. W. Grccnslade. Guinoss, 'Hull, Hardy, Heke, Hcrries, Hornsby, Jennings, Lang, Leihbridje, Lswis, T. Mackenzie, Major, Malcolm, Mnsssy, Mills, 'Okcy, ' Poland, Reid, lfomington, Ross, Iluthcrtotd, Seddon, Symes. Noes (30).—Messrs E. G. Allen, Aitken, Arnold, Barber, Barclay, Buddo, Carroll, Davey, Ell, Pislier, Fowlds, A. Ij; D. Fraaer, Gray, Hana.ii, Hogg. Iznrd, ICidd, La-wry, M'Gownn, M'Sfab Millar, Poole, Sidey, StaHwortliy, Steward, 'Tanner, Ward, "Wilfoid, "Witty, "Wood. After this vote 'was disposed of. a strong attempt was made to alter the tariff on dairying machinery. This brought Sir Joseph Ward to his feet ■ with the startling statement that 'ho would advise his colleague, to report progress on the tariff. Ho very much'doubted whether they, should go on witli the tariff that'evening after what had. taken place. Tho Government had not been blind to what had been going on. Mr Massey: We don't, object to your knowing what has .boon going on. Sir Joseph Ward 6aitl the Government | knew about it, and the Whips knew about it. .110 spoko strongly of the altitude of somo of his own supporters. If they were parly men thoy should let the Government know what they were going to' do. Ho referred particularly to Mr Grccnslade, who had been speaking and whipping in favour of tho reduction of the duties on dairying machinery. . Mr Greenslade said ho had done his best in tho interest's of the dairy .industry. Sir Joseph Ward said there was a combination of those interested in tho two industries (dairying and mining) to oppwso the .Government in the carrying of its tariff. He said emphatically that lie would not. he placcd in that position for anyone. —("Hear, hear.") lie'said distinctly and emphatically that lie was not going to bo treated in a manner that, was grossly unfair by a section of his own party. If they were going to act thus, then Oiiey ought to know where they wore. Mr Ross: Your party* has tho same rights as the Opposition. Sir Joseph Ward said lie saw the position and understood exactly .what they were doing.' When a leading member of the Opposition moved a motion and members of hii (Sir Joseph Ward's) own party' reversed their votes it was quite, evident, that on the items in this tariff the Government could not l'elv on their support. If, he added a section of his own party wcro going to assist a leading member of the Opposition to defeat what the Government proposed in the tariff, he for one was not Koing to be out in the position of what, wa* a. gross insult or affront. He suggested to his colleague that, lie move to report progress. Had ho been Mr Millar ho should have had no hesitation in doing so after the last division.-

Sir Joseph Ward'sspoeeh caused quite a sensation in the House. After a brief speech bv Mr Major in favour of tho reduction, Mr Millar moved to report progress. ' Mr Massey said it appeared to him that tho Prime MinisterV remarks were not. in particularly goc;l tasto. It \m absurd to t-ilk about an insult and an affront-to the fiovernmnnt. This was a matter.Hint -ilionkl be considered quite ar/avt from party. So far as his aide of tho House was oonc«-n"d, lit Voted neither with t.lio iiiiwitaon of iiiBiiltijig ijor affrontijig Uie' Gavo.'nmeut, If

tho right- lion, gentleman's speech was anything, it waa a threat, puro and simple, that if his own men did not support him lie would drop tho Tariff Bill.

After a.-few more words from the Prime Minister progress was reported, and the House rose—rather a. sensational ending ,to tho day's proceedings. After Sir Joseph Ward's speech there was quite a buzz of conversation, and' even after the House rose the Whips and several members remained behind and talked over the voting and tho situation—the most interesting that lias occurred in New Zealand politics for many years. Earlier in the debate a hint .had been thrown out about "going to the country,'.' but probablv the disciplinary lash of the i>arty Whip' wilt be so applied 'as to render this unnecessary. Subsequent developments, however, - will be .extremely interfcsting. ,