PARLIAMENT.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 129, 27 September 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES. "Wellington, Monday. THE CUSTOMS BILL. The Customs and Excise Duties Bill was further considered in Committee. Discussion was resumed on the items boots, shoes, slippers, &c, 25 percent, and Mr Massey's amendment to reduce the duty to 20 per cent. Mr Ward said he could not accept Mr Massey's amendment, as it would mean a serious loss to the revenue, but he should be prepared to accept a reasonable compromise. Mr Massey; What is a reasonable compromise. Mr Ward :Say 22£ per cent. Captain Russell said this proposal of the Treasurer's showed there was some principle of reasoning on the part of the Government after all. He thought, however, that this splitting the difference on the part of the Government was the most inglorious termination to Saturday evening's performance that could possibly be witnessed. He hoped members, who were in favor of twenty per cent, would not allow themselves to be talked over by the Government to vote for 22£ per cent, which was an excessive duty. Mr Mc Lachlan thought that 22£ per cent was a very reasonable compromise. There had been no caucus of Government supporters on the subject. Members had met together in the whips' room that morning in an informal manuer, and, after talking the matter over, had agreed that 22| per cent was a fair compromise. The proposal had not emanated from the Colonial Treasurer or any other me.nber of the Government. Several other members, who were present, bore out Mr McLachlan in this statement. Wellington. Tuesday. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence for one month was granted to Sir Robert Stout on account of urgent private business, and to Mr Houston for one week because of illhealth. QUESTION. Captain Russell asked the Premier if he could now inform the House what Bills it was intended to drop. The Hon Mr Seddon said he wanted to get the Tariff out of the way, and to get back the ordinary business. He would then be able to inform hon. members what business he would go on with. CUSTOMS BILL. The Customs and Excise Duties Bill was further considered in Committee. A motion to reduce cardboard boxes (except match boxes) from 25 per cent to the old duty of 20 per cent, was lost by 89 to 21. Directories of New Zealand, also covers of directories, 25 per cent, evoked considerable discussion. Mr Larnach asked why these items should be charged 25 per cent, when they were formerly free. Mr Ward said, because they were sent out of the colony to be printed. He thought the people of thecolony should be employed to do the work. A motion to strike out the whole item was lost by 42 to 17, and the motion to omit covers was lost by 84 to 20^ Supplements for New Zealand newspapers, also stereotypes and matrices, 25 per cent. Mr Meredith said this was a new impost. These supplements contained a variety of useful matter, and if this duty were enforced, it would damage a laege number of country newspapers. He moved that supplements be struck out. Mr Stewart said these supplements could be produced in the colony, and the duty was justified. Messrs Willis and G. W. Russell spoke to a similar effect. Mr Meredith's amendment was carried by 31 to 26, and the supplements struck out. Stereotypes and matrices were retained by 38 to 21. Printing matter, relating to patent or proprietary medicines, trade catalogues, price lists, and fashion plates for firms or persons in the colony, 25 per cent, was amended by striking out "for firms," and inserting the words "of goods of firms." The duty on paper wrapping was reduced from 6s per cwt to 5s per cwt. Stationery, manufactured, 25 percent ad valorem. A motion to strike out " sketch books " was lost by 33 to 23. J A motion by Mr McGowan to strike out copy books was carried on the voices, as also was a motion by Mr T. Mackenzie to strike out drawing books. Unsuccessful attempts were made to strike out birthday books, diaries, and Christmas, New Year, Easter, and birthday cards. Mr Buddo moved to reduce writing paper and stationery not otherwise enumerated from 15 to 20 per cent. Lost by 19 to 13. In class 12—Manufactures of metal —Mr Buick moved to reduce the duty on 10 to 24 bore cartridges from 3s to Is 6d per 100, as it stood before. He said this ammunition was indispensable to rabbiters in all parts of the colony. Mr Ward hoped the amendment would not be pressed, as it would destroy a most valuable manufacture. After a long discussion Mr Ward said he would agree to a compromise of 2s per hundred. Mr Reeves (who was in temporary charge of the Bill), after further debate, said he was prepared to go still further, and make the duty Is 6d per hundred. Eventually, after two hours' discussion, Mr Buick's amendment in favor of 8d was put and lost by 38 to 23. Iron fencing wire, plain or barbed ; one shilling per cwt., caused considerable discussion. Mr Stewart moved

that this item be free of duty in the interests of country settlers. Mr Ward said if this concession was granted he should have to ask the House to release from the free list a number of articles that were already free. He said the Government were already giving the country people concessions from £20,000 to £35.000 a year. After the discussion lasting an hour and a half, Mr Steward's amendment was carried by 28 to 24, and the item was struck out. The motion of Mr Earnshaw to reduce the duty on kerosene from sixpence to threepence per gallon was lost by 23 to 20. The motion to place animal's food on the free list was lost by 24 to 20. The duty on linseed was reduced from £2 to £l. The duty of £1 a ton on potatoes was removed by 21 to 18. This finished all the schedules of the Bill with the exception of the free list. Progress was then reported. Wellington, Wednesday. THE BOOT CONFEBENCE. Mr Reeves announced to the House that both parties at the Boot Conferin Christehurch had filed in the Supreme Court an agreement under the Conciliation aud Arbitration Act, binding them not to have a strike or lock-out over any dispute that might arise out of the Conference. This was the first practical use to which that Act had been put since it was passed, and it was a pleasure to learn that the result had been so satisfactory. TAKING A CENSUS. Mr Seddon informed the House that under the present Census laws it was necessary to take a census of the colony next year. He found, however, that other colonies had extended the time for taking a census, and as our population in New Zealaud had not increased very much of late years, the Government thought it as well to extend the time of taking census till 1901, which was the time fixed by the Imperial Act, and also by other colonies. The necessary Bill would be introduced in the Legislative Couucil without delay. The extension of the census meant a saving to the colony of £20,000. CITY ELECTORATES. In reply to Mr Buchanan, Mr Seddon said the proposal to make an alteration in the City Electorates would not be carried out before the next General Election. CUSTOMS BILL. Tht Customs aud "Excise Duties Bill was further considered in Committee, schedule B, consisting of the free list, being dealt with. Mr Thomas Mackenzie moved to place all kinds of salt on the free list, the schedule providing only for the free admission of rock salt.

Mr Seddon said he could not accept the amendment, as it would embarrass the Government finance. So many reductions had been carried already that the Government wou'd have to strike some items off the free list to makeup the necessary revenue. Unless this were done, the Government would probably have to face a deficit, which surely members did not wish to occur.

The Hon. Mr McKenzie said it simply amounted to this: If the revenue were curtailed votes for roads and bridges would have to bs reduced. The farming community had received very many concessions under this tariff and they ought to be satisfied. The reductions already made in the tariff amounted to £23,000. He asked the House to stand by the Government, and prevent any more reductions being made. If further reductions were made taxation would have to be increased on the land, and he knew a way to do it. Captain Russell said further taxation could not be put on land because the farmers were so heavily taxed now as to be in many cases in a state of bankruptcy. The Hon. Mr McKenzie retorted that if taxation could not be got from Customs, it must be imposed in some other shape or form. Mr G. W. Russell moved that " coarse and rock " salt be put on the free list. That would confine exemptions to two classes of salt. Mr Ward reminded the House that the colony was committed to make salt an article of reciprocal treaty with South Australia, and on that account remission could not be made. One fourth of the coarse salt imported into New Zealandcame from South Australia. Mr Russell's amendment was lost by 40 to 19, aud Mr T. McKeuzie's negatived on the voices. In class s—drugs, &c, Mr Ward moved to put sheep ticks, horse drenches, maltine, and chlorodyne, on the free list. Agreed to. Mr Earnshaw moved to add emulsion of cod liver oil to the free list. Lost by 32 to 22. Mr Ward moved to add medicinal baths, herbs, flowers, roots, leaves, and gums to the free list. Agreed to. In class 10--fancy goods, &c, — Captain Russell moved to admit free of duty on stained glass, windows specially imported for churches and public buildings. Lost by 35 to 18.