NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 13 May 1887, Page 22

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Wednesday Mat 11. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The announcement made by the Treasurer yesterday that he would make his Financial Statement in the evening was another of the great surprises of this session of surprises. The move was a bold one, and it is likely to have the effect desired of allowing the Ministry to appeal to the country on a wider ground than the Representation question. It was generally understood in the morning that there was every prospect of the Ministry going out on the Representation Bill, but those who thought so were not aware of the resources of the Government. What made the Treasurer's announcement the more surprising in one respect was the fact that the Premier, as I stated, led everyone to understand that the accounts were not to hand. Of course the annouuceniH.r, completely eclipsed the Representation Bill The galleries in the evening were crowds, many ladies beiDg present, and the galleries reserved for councillors were well filled. The Treasurer was in good form, and read his Statement with & good deal of animation. It occupied within a few minutes of two hours in delivery, and though a good deal of interest was manifested at the commencement, its length tired out everybody, and the House thinned considerably. The Statement was very coldly received, and the applause was far from being frequent. As soon as the resolutions regarding the increase in the tariff wer.e adopted, the House adjourned. , Nothing bub the Statement yfas canvassed by members on all hamls. It is regarded, as an abjy written document, calculated to 'appeal to the country in the strongest manner. The Government supporters are on the whole well pleased with it, as it enables them to go to their constituencies as supporters of a Ministry of retrenchment, and in favour of encouraging Ideal industries by Protection. The Opposition members acknowledge the great skilfulness of the Statement, but consider it capable of being severely and succes.sfully attacked. The Freetraders ,of course. denounce the tariff as Protectionist to the hilt,and are prepared to oppose the 'tariff proposals most vigorously. All sides agree in congratulating the Treasurer, and the colony on the unexpected windfall of £100,000 from the sinking fund, which has reduced an enormous deficit to fairly reasonable ' pro-

portions. The absence of Major Atkinson to-day has'" to ; Some extent caused the Opposition members to be chary in expressing very ''definitely an opinion on the Statement. A meeting of the Opposition takes place, however, in- the' morning, when it will be; discussed, and opinion as regards it will then; be speedily expressed. , At present the general opinion is that the tariff proposals will be rejected, and that an appeal to the country is inevitable.

CHANGES IN THE TARIFF.

- The increases in the tariff, which in many instances are very heavy, are generally admitted to be framed more with a view of encouraging industries than of producing revenue. The manufacturers of Dunedin are considered to be specially favoured. There is one exception to this, and that exception will tell heavily on the poorer classes of the colony, viz., the increase on calicoes and cotton and union shirtings, cotton dress prints, and rough brown hollan is. None of these can be manufactured in the colony, aud as they are almost exclusively used by the poorer classes the, effect will be a heavy tax on them. The bootmakers have had a portion of the heavy order recently given to the Treasurer supplied, the increase being stated to be nearly equal to 12 per cent. ..Against that, however, the leather which they are now importing has an increased duty, so that tanners are left out of sight altogether.