Preferential Trade.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12416, 20 November 1903, Page 2

Preferential Trade.

THJ3 BILL BEFORE THIS HOUSE. Per Press Association. Wellfpgton," November 19. In Comimßte©, Mr Taylor movecl ip strike out glass, Crown sheet window. Rejectee! by 33 to 8. A similar motion regarainff iron

;n.ails was defeated by 32 to 9. The second sohedkile was then agreeji to. iln tne third schedule, iron wire netting Was struck out on the motion of iihe Premier. Mr B^ogg- moved to strike our printing 1 papet.i ,The Premier said the cheapest and best pojper ia the world cam» fitoni Canta&a. The motion was rejected by 33 to 10. Mr KirJcbride moved to strike out canvas*, sailcloth, dtack, on the ground th.at it' was used for horsecovors. Defeatetd by 33 to 13. Ota. th<» motion for the third reading, Sir |W- Russell protested against -the haste witih which, the bill had been forced through the House. It was an outrage an political decency. Sir J. G. ,WarjK said there had been no increase of taxation utaHer tjie bill, because the inTports on the articles on wthidfci duty was raised would cease. Mr KicWbride contended that no preference .was disclosed by the Bill. "The Bill challenge*! retaliation. Mr Taylor referring to the circular requesting; the Premier to hold over tihe disclu^lsion on the Bill until nexij session said it had originated with hi,m anid was signed by 17 Opposition a«id ?*5 OjoVeraniemt members. Mr LaUrensoxt said Canada had r»'duced duties in fayour of Britain because the duties were already so higto that it was imipoasible to increase them. • ■ • Mr Budclo also spoke. Mr Herdman entered a protest against the unbusinesslike manner in which the Bill had been dealt with. The Hoa Hall- Jones saild it was absolutely misleading to say the people of the colony were not malting any sacrifice. Ours was a voluntary offer. Mr W. Fraser said it was no use denying that Hie Bill would impose fresh burdens on the people of the colony. - ;>■ Mr Bourne strongly supported the proposals contained in the Bill. Mr Hogg belieVed that the Bill would not only materially help Great Britain but would also strengthen some of the young industries of this colony.Mr Hanan sujpporteft -tjte Bill. Mr E. M. Smith said that when Mr Chamberlain heard this measure was passed it would cheer anil strengthen him, and give him renewed energy. Mr Fowlds believed if the Bill hiad not been made a party qjuestion the motion for its postponement until next session would have been carried by a 2 to 1 majority. Mr Major heartily supported the Bill. Mr Bedford deprecated the uncltue haste that had been exhibited. Mr Bollard said the remission of duty on tea was of no material benefit. Mr Harding did not thiink thajt Mr Chamberlain's cause had been entirely prov«3. Mr James Allen cloubtegi whether we had hail sufficient time to come to any decision on the subject. Replying at 8.20 p.im. Mr Seftdbn referred to the complaints that had been made of the Government Kaving undiuly pushed on the Bill, and quoted from the Financial Statement of 1897 to show that this Bill was then s"ketched in its main essentials. He contended that the Bill was concurred in by the colony, the question of preferential trade Kavijag. been prominently before the electors at the last General Election. Under the new tariff it would be impossible for the same amount of goods as at present to be imported into the colony, and there would be a loss of revenue under the proposals in the Bill, The Bill then passeflu its final stages

by 50 to 16. In reply to representations frpm newspaper proprietors, Mr Seddon said the question of duty on paper as affecting existing contracts would, receive consideration.