THE NEW TARIFF.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 91, 2 August 1895, Page 3

THE NEW TARIFF.

CirmsTCHUACir. July 31. The jewellers of Christchurch, employers and employees, tave prepared a petition to the Colonial Treasurer, protesting against the duty of 25 per cent on cat and uncut jewels, on the ground thau the previous free admission of tucee enabled the manufacture of jewellery in the Colony, and tbe giving of employment to a large number of men. Tbe Bootmakers' Union to-day te.it a telegram to the three Christchurch members and Meosrs Kelly and Pimm .on:— ■ “ Loot trade counc 1 d’sguslcd wi'h new tariff. Our evidence before Commission not considered.” Du nedin, July 31. At a meeting of the City Council tonight, the Mayor drew alien.ion to Ihe new duty of 20 per emt ad valorem on gasometers and gas appliances. He su'd the Council would have short 1 y to impvri a new gasometer which would cost ironi £15,000 to £20,000, and the duty would come to about £2,000. That seemed an enormous tax on a public body, and at his suggestion it was agreed to communic -te with the Government and the local members, urging that local bodies, who erected their own gasworks, should be exempt from the tax. Messrs Enid and Gray complain of the duty on threshing machines, and point out that they cannot be made in the colonies for years. The only result o* the duty, they say, will be that farmers will be charged higher rates for threshing