HOUSE.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8327, 15 August 1895, Page 3

HOUSE.

The House met at 2*30.

Captain Rußeell gave notice to move, on the motim for the beoond reading of the Tariff Bill, that in the opinion of tbis Houee the tariff resolutions altering the duties of Customs Bhould be repcioded, on the grounds tbat by them no Bimplficaciori of the tariff is effeoted, and tbat although a few existing anomalies are abolished no appreciable relief is granted tc anybody, while extra burdens are imposed upon many, and the estimated increase in the revenue, viz., £10,300, is not commensurate with the general disarrangement of trade which will ensue.

Mr Seddon said that after the notice of motion jnst given be would be consulting the convenience of members by moving tbe adjournment of the House till 7.30. Tbe Government had intimated that they would not take the tariff disoossion oa party lines, and members who bad no* already spoken in tbe financial debate would therefore be at a disadvantage with an amendment like thin hanging over them. He thought that either tbis amendment should be withdrawn or the Houee should be adjoarned.

Captain Russell said he had not Bttaoked anybody by his motion, which was txaot'y the same aa that he had intimated his intentien of moving a few dayß ago, and he did not want to disturb the financial debate. Tbe proper time for his resolution to be taken waß on tbe seoond reading of the Tariff Bill. They bad already bad so many ohangea in tbe tariff tbßt they did not know whether the Government would not again alter the tariff so completely that his (Captain Bussell's) motion would not be neoessary.

Mr Ward said Captain Russell wished to get tbe members of the Government party, after having heard their opinions, to do that whioh was done on a former c cession by the Atkinßon party. After the statement by the Government that tbey would not object to reasonable alterations in the Tariff, the action of Captain Russell could only be to haraßß the Government. His motive was evidently to give those members of the Go* vernment party who had not agreed with the Tariff proposals, an opportunity of giving the Government a slap in the faoe, but the Government supporters would not be dragged through the mire in that manner He asserted that the agricultural community, by this tariff, was given necessary relief to the extent of £17.000.

Sir Robert Stout thought the oourse proposed by the Government was a moßt extraordinary one.

After further discussion, Mr Seddon, in reply, said the Government would at 7.30 be prepared to Bay what course they would take. It was well-known that the Tariff Bill oould not come down for tome time yet, as the Government had more serious matters to consider. If Oaptain Russell refused to move hiß amendment at 7.30, tho Government would treat it with the contempt it deserved, and wculd take their own oourse afterwards.

Tbe motion was agreed to on the voices, and the House rose at 3.50 p.m. On resuming at 7.30 the Colonial Treasurer moved that the House go into Committee of

Ways and Means. Tbis was to give Captain Russell an opportunity of movirg his motion, and to prevent those of tbe Government party who h-d ixrressed views opposed to ihe various terms of the tariff being placed in a false position. The patty was determined that tbe tariff vote ehould only be dealt with 'n Committee, and he would move that the duty on flannelettes, flannelette sheeting, imitatation flannels, raised cotton, and soft spun piece goods, exoept flannelette shirting, be 10 per cent ad valorem as from August loth, 1895; that the duty imposed by the resolution from the 31st July last cease on August 15th, and that tbe differenoa of duty sinoe the 31th July be refunded. This would mean that the duty on flannelettes would be the same as before July 31st, nnd that tbe duty on flannelette shirtings be runoved, they being admitted free. The loss of revenue would be £3000, but the self respect of tbe Government and Government party was of greater value. The Government would not amend the tariff at tbe direolion of its opponents, but by the direction of tbeir friends. [Mr Maokenz ; e : Why couldn't you bring it down sooner. Laughter.] j Captin Russell taid it was contrary to praotioe to deba'e a tariff amendment, and therefore he would not debate this, and neither would bis friends. (Laughter.) Neither would be bring down the motion of which he had given notice till the time for which he had given notice when the Government brought dewn its Bill for this making of every motion a want-of-confidence motkn was becoming farcioal. Three times in a fortnight had the Premier treated a motion ai a Want-of-Confldence motion. He reminded him of Cox and Box, when Cox, shaping up to a small man, eaid : "Can you fight ?" and the small man Baying " No," he said, "Then oome on." The Premier, with a big party majority following him closely on various questions, was always crying to the numerically email Opposition to " come on/ The tariff motto", of wbioh he had given notice, was merely to record the feeling of dissatisfaction at the tariff proposals. The Premier said that Captain Russell reminded bim of tbe adage " He who fights and runs away, will live to fight another day/ (•Oh, no," "Will meet you ly-and-bye," and laughter.) The Government could not permit such a notice to remain on the Order Paper without loss of sa'f-sespect. The Government had the respect and confidence of the country, and those who voted

for going into ways and means wculd be voting confidence in the Government. Sir Robert Stout said the adjournment of the afternoon was al owed the Government to hold a caucus of its supporter?, and therefore the business of the country was interrupted, and h»s .prediction verified, Those members who had discussed the Tariff so freely had met in caucus, and had swallowed it whole. Qhose members who had talked so independently had been rounded tip by the Premier, and they would vote for everything they hHd objeoted to. Captain Bussell had done what he bad never seen any other Leader of the Opposition do, he had made Ministers run away from tbe T r own Tariff, which they bad taken two ye-rs to prepare, and sptnt £1700 on Commissions, and no less tban £377 in printing. Car tain Russell had done what all representative Government supporters had failed to do, he had saved the working men of the Colony from a duty which wculd have directly affected them to the extent of thou>a» ds. He hoped the Opposition would vote for the Treasurer's motion, as it was relieving men. The Miciater for Labor denied tbat they had run away from Captain Russell. The Government's charge of front was caused by tbe op ; nio B of the Libeial party, and the country at large. At the out?et they had Baid they would tike the opinions of their friends. Tbe Government was following the precedent set down by Sir H. Atkinson in allowing a reasonable freedom as to amendment of its tariff. They were prepared to receive reasonable amendments and improvements. They declined to go on with tbe business of the country with a motion of no confidence over their heads. Why did Capia n Rußsell give notice of his motion before tbe Bill came down? (Mr T. Mackenzie: "To foroe reductions.") It was absurd to say that the handful of Opposition members could forca reduetioDß. (Mr Earnehaw: " Tbey have done so.") The Liberal party could do this, but not the Opposition. The Government desired the opinion of its friends, for the collective wisdom of the House was greater than the wisdom of any one Minister. Dr Newman said the Opposition had at last scoured this reduction, and the Government was already backing down on a number of other items. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply being put, the only voice agaiost it was that of Mr Mills, the senior Government whip, who oalled for a division to ensure the votes heing recorded. The only teller who could b 9 prooured to act with him was Major Harris, tbe other Government whip. The motion was carried by 60 to 5. The only votes against were Messrs Willis, Mills, Duthie, Harris and MoNab The House thsn went into C>mmittea of Ways snd M?ans. Tbe Treasurer moved his resolution, and Mr McKenzie moved an amendment that all flannelettoß be free. The proposed distinction only accumulated the difficulties and the anomalies of the Tariff, and no Customs offioer could define the difference proposed. Tbis waa en item which tbe Tariff Commission's report showed had oauaed the greatest confusion in New Zealand during the past six or eight years, The Colonial Treasurer said in that night's ' Post ' a leading firm advooated the very thing the Government proposed. They intended to admit shirtings free, but it would be practically impossible to remove all anomalies till there was a thorough revision of the tariff. Mr Button thought the wbole duty should be taken iff flanrele:te. The Premier asked the House to negative the amendment, and when they were diecasEing the schedules of the Bill they would have an opportunity of reconsidering th- matter. Pr. Newman suggested tbat ns flannelette was pure cotton, ana not flannel at all, they should enact that it should not be sold under a nme suggesting flannel. Mr Duthie said flannelette was almost wholly used by poor people, those who aould afford it used flannel, and they should abolish the duty on it. Mr G. J. Smith said the duty whioh it was proposed to rtvert to had caused great friction throughout the Colony. They should make a uniform duty or nbolieh it altogether. The Treasurer and Premier said if the amendment was withdrawn an opportunity would be given to effect a reduction. Major Stewart said be would bave a good deal to Bay on flannelette when tbe proper time oarne. There wes a great deal to be said on both sides. Mr Orowther said the voice of the country would oompel both the Tariff Commission and Government to climb down on flannelettes.

Ihe amendment was withdrawn, aud the motion carried without dissent. Mr Mills explained tbat he and Major Hanis called for a division at the requsßt of the Government to test the sincerity of tbe Opposition. Captain Russell protested against Whips stating tbat they bad called for a bogus division to call into question ths sincerity of any section of tbe Houee. In reply to Messrs Allen and T. Mackenzie, who said that tha oonoession seemed muoh larger than £3000, Dr Newman stated (hat Mr Ward eaid the Tariff Commission, of whioh Mr Maokenzie was a member, recommended an inorease of 20 per cent, and tbat Mr Maokenzie Baid be had voted in the Tariff Commission against tbe proposed increase. The resolutions were then confirmed. Mr Mills at 9.20 p.m. resumed the financial debate. He oould not wholly approve of the proposed treaties, but otherwise he commended the Budget. Mr Buchanan said the position waß serious as the Ouetrms and railways revenues were steadily falling. He was still speaking at the supper adjournment.