HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 14

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE TARIFF.

_ The Customs Duties Bill was further considered in committee.

In the free list, machinery for agricultural purposes, Mr Withy moved to include under this item patanted, motive, and other machines, appliances, and tools the rights to which have not been arranged for by any firm in the colony. Lost by 45 to 32, and the item retained.

Machinery for roller flour mills was' added to the list in this class of machinery.

Machinery for mining purposes was agreed to on the voices, after considerable discussion.

Mr Withy moved to admit electric machinery and appliances free. He thought this class of machinery should certainly be admitted free, so as to enable the colony to keep in the forefront of the world.— Agreed to by 42 to 35.

Millboards and paper albuminized was added to the free list.

In the item photographic cameras the words " and lenses " were added to the item.

Portable English traction engines were also included.

Printed books, papers, and music. — " Not otherwise enumerated " was inserted at the end of line.

Salt, rock. — Mr Perceval moved to insert the words " and coarse salt." He said there was some misunderstanding on this item when a decision was arrived at on the previous occasions. — Sir H. A. Atkinson pointed out that his colleague, the Minister of Public Works, had already made a proposal to the House to include coarse salt, but it was not accepted. — Lost, and the item retained as printed.

Sheep dip, also scrub exterminators were added to the list.

Steam fire engines were struck out on the Premier's motion.

Tinsmith fittings and trade furniture. — "Trade" was struck out and "punched" inserted.

Tobacco for sheep wash, being rendered until; for human consumption, and hydraulic cranes were added to the list.

Schedule B, as amended, was then passed.

The time for imposing the duty on tobacco, cigars, &c. was extended from the Ist January 1889 to 31st December 1890.

Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7.30. p.m. THE TARIFF.

Mr T. M'Kenzie (Clutha) moved, that common piece goods not otherwise enumerated, and linen hollands, of the fair market value of 5d per yard, be added to the free list.— Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson opposed that, and hoped the House would not agree to it. The Government had decided on these items after fair consultation with persons concerned in the trade. — Mr M'Kenzie said the Government should not be guided by the opinion of Wellington merchants alone in this matter. — Mr Fisher said that Dunedin merchants had also been consulted. — The amendment was lost by 41 to 25.

Mr B.JUZCi!Lmoyed,that woolpacks be recommitted. — Agreed'to.

Mr Perceval moved that the item salt, except rock, be recommitted. He should be prepared to see the salt duty altogether abolished, but the subject could very well be disoussed in committee. — Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson said it was hardly fair that .they should be asked to fight this battle over again. It had already been fairly decided, and he would .suggest that the amendment should not be pressed. — Mr Pehcival did not think the question was decided on its merits on that occasion. — Mr Reeves (St. Albans) said there was no doubt tbe House was against the salt duty, but they felt that the tea duty would be reduced, and they considered it unfair to deprive the Treasurer of the revenue that would be derived from salt. He thought now that the tea duty had not been reduced the Premier might make a compromise by allowing the salt duty to be recommitted. — After considerable discussion, Mr Perceval asked leave to withdraw his amendment, but leave was refused. — The amendment was lost by 56 to 26.

A new clause was added to the bill to the effect that all machinery ordered for use (not for sale) before 30th May should be admitted free of duty. — Dr Fitchett moved a proviso that such machinery must arrive in the colony within six months of the passing of this act. — Agreed to.

Apparel and ready-made clothing and all articles made up wholly or in part from silk, cotton, linen, or wool works not otherwise enumerated, were inserted ; and textile or other piece goods substituted for silk, cotton, linen, or wool.

Candied peel was altered from 3d to 5d. — Agreed to.

Clocks, 15 per cent., was altered to clocks and watches, 20 per cent, ad valorem.

Cordage and rope not otherwise enumerated, 7s 6d the cwt, was altered to 20 per cent.

Cotton goods not otherwise enumerated waß altered to 10 per cent.

Cutlery, 15 per cent., was increased to 20 per cent.

Drapery made up, 25 per cent., was struck out, as it was included uader the heading of "apparel." Drained peel, 3d per lb, was inserted. Feathers, ornamental, including ostrich, 20 per cent., was increased to 25 per cent.

Fireclay was included in the item "firebricks and fireclay goods," 20 per cent.

Fruit, fresh— namely, apples, pears, plums, &c, £d per lb,"instead of £d per lb. — Captain Russell moved that this item be struck out altogether. He held it was only laziness that prevented New Zealand fruitgrowers competing with Tasmania. — Mr Walker regretted that the duty was not double what was proposed to be levied. He said very bad fruit was imported from Tasmania. — Mr Beetham supported the amendment. —Mr Levestam opposed the amendment, and (said if the people of Nelson had Protection for a few years they would be able to grow fruit without any Protection. — Mr Thompson said fruitgrowing was one of the most important industries of the colony, and regretted the duty was not Id instead of |d.— Mr Reeves (St. Albans) said New Zealand could produce quite as good fruit as Tasmania, and should be able to compete with that colony. He thought Canterbury fruitwas at least equal to Tasmanian fruit, and he guaranteed that if this duty were imposed Canterbury fruitgrowers would be able to supply the whole of Wellington and Otago with as much fruit as they required. —Mr Fish held that if a duty of Id per pound were imposed it would not shut out Tasmanien fruit, as the market must be supplied. He pointed out that in Dunedin 90 per cent, of locally grown fruit was exhibited for sale, as against 60 per cent, imported. His opinion was that no duty would assist the industry until the rate for carriage of fruit was reduced. If fruit was grown to such perfection in Canterbury, how was it a, jam factory had not been established there ?— Dr Fitchett asked the Premier as a. compromise to let fruit stand at a farthing/ He agreed with Mr Fish that nothing would help the fruit industry so much as lowering freights for

carriage. — After further discussion, Captain Russell's amendment was put and lost by 55 to 23. — Dr Fitchett moved that it be reduced to £d. — Lost, and Jd per lb was inserted by 54 to 20.

Fruit pulp, and partially preserved fruit, IJd per pound. — Mr Allen moved to reduce this to jd. — Lost by 48 to 29, and the item retained. Fruit, preserved by sulphurous acid, fd. — Carried.

Furs, 20 per cent., was increased to 25 per cent.

Grain — namely, barley, 2s per 1001b. — Carried.

Hardware, ironmongery, hollow ware, and cutlery, 20 per cent., was inserted instead of hardware and ironmongery not otherwise enumerated, 25 per cent. Hessian, the fair market value of which does not exceed 4d to 7d, 15 per cent. — Carried. Hollow ware, not otherwise enumerated, 25 per cent., was struck out.

Hand bills, programmes, and circulars, day bills, and posters, 20 per cent., was iuserted. Jewellery, 15 per cent., was increased to 20 per cent. Leaden sheets, 20 per cent.— Carried. Leather bags was altered from 15 per cent, to 20 per cent.

Leather cut into shapes, leather cloth bags, leather leggings, and leather manufactures not otherwise enumerated, were all increased from 15 per cent, to 20 per cent. Maize and cornflour were altered from Is per 1001b to |d per lb. Matches were altered from Is to 5s 6d per gross, according to description. Metal manufactures — namely, heel and toe plates, 20 per cent.— Carried. Millinery — viz., trimmed hats, caps, and bonnets, was reduced from 25 to 20 per cent.. Oysters, preserved, 20 per cent., was altered to 2d per lb.

Paper bags was altered from Is 6d per cwfc to 25 per cent.

Plate, gold, and silver, and platedware was altered from 15 to 20 per cent.

Putty, 2s per cwt. — Carried. Saccharine, 5s tho oz. — Mr Hobbs said this was an absurd duty. He moved that it be reduced to Is. — The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson thought the duty should have been 10s or 15s, and 5s was a very moderate sum. There was considerable fear that saccharine would take the place of sugar, and they must protect themselves. — The amendment was lost, and the item retained.

Sauces, 20 per cent., altered to 3s per dozen pints and reputed pints. Silk and sac velvet in pieces not otherwise enumerated, 25 per ceut. — Carried. Soda crystals, Is, increased to 2s per cwt. Spices, 3d per lb, was altered to spices including pepper, 4d.

Spirits and strong waters beyond overproof, 16s the proof gallon ; in bulk, 15s.. — Dr Fitchett asked whether this met the case of those who imported schnapps and Geneva. — Tbe Premier replied in the affirmative. — Carried.

Spirits and strong waters, mixed with any ingredient in any proportion exceeding 33 per cent, of proof spirit, 16s the liquid gallon, and in bulk, 15s. — Carried.

Spirits and strong waters, sweetened or mixed, 15s the liquid gallon ; in bulk, 15s. — Carried.

Sulphur was reduced from Is per cwt to 6d.

Twine, 15 per cent.— Mr Mills moved to insert " Excepting twine for fishing nets." — Lost on the voices. — The item was then altered to " Twine, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent."

Watches, 15 per cent, was altered to 20 per cent.

Wax, paraffin, mineral, vegetable, and Japanese, was decreased from Id to §d. Wine, sparkling, was altered from 8s to 3s.

Mr Bruce moved to reduce woolpaoks known as " wool pockets " from Is 3d to 6d per dozen. Carried.

Yarns, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent. Mr Loughbbt asked whether yarns used in the manufacture of carpets were to be admitted free.— The Premier replied that they were.— The item was carried.

Zinc, tiles, ridging, guttering, piping, and roll, 20 per cent. — The words "and roll" were struck out.

The bill was then reported with further amendments, which were ordered to be considered on Friday. The House rose at 12.25 a.m.