PARLIAMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 1332, 25 September 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Sept. 24.

After the Telegraph Office closed the photograph item in the Customs Bill was under discussion.

Mr Montgomery moved to place the duty at 20 per cent on enlargements of New Zealand scenery or enlargements of portraits.— Mr Ward could not accept the amendment, as he intended to deal with the whole item when the free list was under consideration. Amendment lost by 31 to 19. Mr Montgomery moved to make the duty of 20 per cent apply only to pictures, paintings, drawings, etc., of the value of less than L5O. He thought all first-class paintings should be admitted into the colony free in the interests of general culture. Works of art imported by any public institution or art association were on the free list, but he contended that private people should also be allowed to import first-class pictures, etc., free of duty.—Mr Willis suggested as a compromise that a duty of 10 per cent be placed on works of art over L5O in value.—After a short discussion the Minister in charge said that when a person imported expensive pieturesjor works of art for his own use he should be prepared to pay duty on them.—After a short discussion Mr Montgomery’s amendment was lost by 32 to 10. Captain Russell moved that the duty on the whole item be reduced from 20 per cent to 15 per cent, which was the duty under the old tariff.—Amendment lost by 29 to 12. Perfumed spirits and Cologne water, LI 10s per liquid gallon.—This was altered on Mr VVard’e motion to provide that, until February, 1896, the duty be 21s per gallon. Mr G. J. Smith moved to reduce the duty on tobacco pipes, and smokers’ requisites generally, from 25 to 20 per cent. This, he explained, was a concession, the old duty being 15 per cent. Amendment lost by 35 to 11.

Mr Earnshaw moved to report progress, which was carried by 22 to 21, and tho House rose at 3.10 a.m.

On resuming at 2-30 leave of absence for one week was granted to Sir R. Stout on account of urgent private business and to Mr Houston for one week because of illhealth.

Captain Russell asked the Premier if he could now inform the House what bills it was intended to drop.—Mr Seddon said he wanted to get the tariff ont of the way and get back to ordinary business; he would then be able to inform hon. members what business he would go on with. The Customs and Excise Duties Bill was further considered in Committee. A motion to reduce cardboard boxes (except matchboxes) from 25 per cent to the old duty of 20 per cent, was lost by 39 to 21. “ Directories of New Zealand, also covers of directories, 25 per cent.” evoked cohsiderable discussion.—Mr Larnach asked why these items should be charged 25 j/er cent, when they were formerly free ? —Mr Ward said because they were sent out of the colony to be printed and he thought the people of the colony should be employed to do the work.—A motion to strike out the whole item was lost by 42 to 17 and a motion to omit covers was lost by 34 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 large number of country newspapers. He moved that supplements be struck out.—Mr Steward said these supplements conld be produced in the colony and the duty was justified, and Messrs Willis and G. W. Russell spoke to a similar effect.—Mr Reeves said the quality of these imported supplements was notoriously of the lowest char-

aoter and their contents did not at all apply to New Zealand.—Mr Meredith’s amendment was carried by 31 to 26 and supplements struck out. Stereotypes and matrices wore 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 l the colony 25 percent.” 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 per cent, ad val.”—A motion to strike out sketch books was lost by 33 to 23. 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 striko out drawing books. Unsuccessful attempts were made to strike out birthday books, diaries, and Christmas, New Year, Eister, and birthday cards.

Evening Sitting. Mr Buddo moved to reduce stationery and writing paper, n.o.e. from 20 to 15 per cent. —Lost by 19 to 13. In class 12—“ Manufactures of metal.”— Mr Buick moved to reduce the duty on 10 to 14 bore cartridges from 3s to 8d per 100 as it stood before. He said this ammunition was indispensable to rabbiters in all parts of the colony.—Mr Waid 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 100.—Mr Reeves (who was in temporary charge of the bill) after further debate ho said he was prepared to go still further and make the duty Is 8d per 100.—Eventually, after nearly two hours’ discussion on the items, Mr Buick’s amendment was lost by 38 to 23.

—Mr Duncan then proposed that Is be inserted. Lost by 33 to 28, and Mr Ward’s motion to made the duty Is 8d was carried by 36 to 27. “ Cartridge cases Is 3d per 100” were reduced to 9d ; cartridges, n.0.e., were retained at 20 per cent. “ Iron fencing wire, plain or barbed, Is per cwt” caused considerable discussion.—

Mr Steward moved that this item be free of duty in the interests of country settlers.— Mr Ward said that if this concession were granted he should have to ask the House to move from the.free list a number of articles that were already free. The Government were already giving the country people a concession of from L 20.000 to L 25.000 a year.—After a discussion lasting an hour and a half the amendment was carried by 28 to 14, and the item was struck out. No alteration was made in Class 13—timber, and articles made from timber. In Class 14—oils, paints, etc., a motion by Mr Earnshaw to reduce the duty on kerosene ’from 6d to 3d per gallon was lost by 23 to 20. The duty upon paints and colors ground in oil or turpentine was reduced from 3s to 2s 6d per cwt, and the duty on paints and colors, mixed ready for use, was reduced from 6s to 5s per cwt. Class 15—Agricultural and farm products was under discussion when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.