PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13396, 20 September 1907, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 19. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were introduced by the Attorney-General and read a first time :—Marine Insurance, Statutes Repeal, Animals Protection, Police Offences (No. 2). THE TARIFF BILL. The Attorney-General moved the second leading of the Tariff Bill, pretacing his remarks by expressing tho opinion that a mart who undertook a complete revision of the tariff required to take* his courage in both hands, and to be a man of great patience and industry. These quoiideations had been manifested by the i.on. Mr Millar, who had achieved a great work. Dr Findlay then outlined the provisions of the Bfll.

Mr Rigg agreed with the AttoraeyUenatal on the excellent, work done by -Mr Millar, but would have liked the Minister to take a stronger stand in regard to the imposition of protective duties. He quoted statistics to show that about i>2,000,000 worth of goodVj vrcrz imported into the colony which could be manufactured here. The Customs duties should be increased to such an extent that the local article would supplant the imported. Progress- and development of industries would be haistened by the imposition df a much higher tariff upon imported articles. If they wanted a rich country they must have manufacturing centra;, and this was to be done by encouraging indretries. In Tegard to preferential trade, he was one of those who did not approve of it in the form adopted in this country. There Wis no ie;ison why we shon'd be called upen to bolster up British manufacturers and pay an additional prico fox terluin commodities for their benefit. Mr Beehan considered the tariff a marvellous performance for a new Minister, ■who was to be congratulated. He held that local industries ought U> be encouraged* in every possible way. Mr Pan! thought tbatr the effect of the tariff would be to stimulate industries and generally tt> impro\e trade. Still with Mr Rigg ha felt that some further measure ot protection might have been given to local industries. He, however, recognised that neither free trade nor protection would solve the laour problem, which was the most. important of all. He hoped the Government would recognise that in taxation equality of sacrifice was the goal to be aimed at. He was thankful, for the remissions made on articles of general consumption> In regard to woollen goods he regretted that the Government had not stuck to tho original proposal to put 8d per lb upon raw ,cotton to pres rve the purity of the woollen manufacture. tie hoped the Government would at the earliest irascible moment- introduce a Shoddy Bill io protect consumers against inferior goods. Mr McCardlt thought it would be a mistake to take any drastic >tep as suggested for the pcrpo-.-e of ircreising colonial industries. It, was de-hv,l>:-j that they should pmet. d skadilv. He eatisii.'d that the tariff was br - d <.;r fair lines, and the Bill had Kir- entire a:>-

proval. Mr Anstey said that if he had had a. vote on the question of : >r; • of duty he would m*» t likely have vnicd agaiflrit si> large an amount bjintr •mi;ted. Tho £500.000 could have b. ii' b.tt*r used for opening tip and developing the country. He disagrnd v.-it!t Mr Paul's remarks about wool and shoddy, and thought that so lor.g as the goods were branded adequately .-s to .their constituents no injury could rcsnit to the woollen industry. . The debate was adjourned. THE LATE MR KELLY. The Attorney-General announced the death of Mr W. Kelly, and in a few words> in eulogy of deceased, moved that the Council place on record its appreciation of his services*, and <.xpr«.Si condolence with his family. Mr McLean seconded tit- motion. M tsars Harris and Thompson (with tears streaming down their cheeks and a choking utterance) referred to their pirvate and public relation." with tie ir late brother membr. Mr lie- li:tn alio spok.' feelingly on the sterling qualities of ihe deceased. Tlie motion was carried. The Council adjourned at <1.45 p.m. a* a mark of respect to th-e dtc.-.t: ;ii legislator.

. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE CUSTOMS EXPERT. Mr Lauvenson asked the Minister of Customs a question without, notice as to whether as a fact the Customs expert had a right to recommend when fines should be inflicted and whether the same officer received a portion of the fines so inflicted. Mr Laurenson said he had been informed from a reliable source that this was go. He farther asked the Minister if he had taken any steps to terminate the Customs expert's agreement. The Hon. Mr Millar stated that the information was incorrect, as fines were imposed. by the secretary and the Customs expert received no portion of the fines recovered in a Court of Law; lie had not drawn any money from this source for some years. The total amount the expert I bad received from this source was £252 during a term of 20 years. He (Mr Millar) had given notice to terminate the expert's agreement on 50th June next. TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES. Mr Massey asked the Premier when lie proposed to go into the inquiry in the matter of travelling allowances. Tho Premier stated that he proposed to refer the case of the Customs expert to the Commerce Committee next week. Mr EMassey said lie understood that tho whole matter of travelling allowances was to be inquired into and not only the Customs expert. The Premier said that the general question, of travelling allowances was a matter for the executive and he did not propose to refer that to the Committee. Mr Gray said he nnderstood that the whole matter of travelling allowances was to bo inquired into. He had another case of an officer drawing a large travelling allowance, but did not propose to give his name until he had ■ inquired further into the matter. He added that, a feeling of unrest prevailed, and reiterated the statement th:sfc he believed, the Premier had given an assurance to the House that the whole system of travelling allowances would be inquired into. The Premier stated that whatever he had said, he was prepared to do. METHYLATED SPIRIT. The Methylated Spirit Bill was further considered in Committee. • Clause 8, which givos power to Customs officer to enter and search buildings | reasonably suspected of containing methylated spirit which has been, or is being, i oris intended to be, purified in breach of the j Act caused considerable discussion, several | members urging that a Customs officer was i given too much power. i | Mr Massey moved an amendment that it should be made compulsory for ;u Customs officer to first obtain a search. rantThe Hon. Mr Millar replied that the obtaining of a search warrant occasioned delay and would spoil the whole' of the Bill. A Customs officer would not be allowed to make a .".arch except by the [.authority of a rolleeto: - and the vesponsi- | biiity for the .search would tlnr- b- on the I ]>c|Kirtm?nt. | l-'.ventual'y Mr Mass y withdrew Lis amendment. Mr Barclay moved an amendment proviilinir that an officer making a search -In.n!,| ! )s fir-f ;>i'tJ>i:n'-e:l in v."riling by a Collector of C'.'ston-. This was n;rr*«:l to n:i the voices. Th- rei>i.ii!)inr» clause- \v re agreed to wi(i:;";t amendment. CO.A I. MINKS. 'Li:' Coal Mines Act .Amendment Hill No. 2 was further considered i:i Committee. Mr Guinness moved nr\v clause. ISC—-•e-'iio!) 59 of the principal Act is hereby a-ncndid bv adding thereto the following v.; I rules: Thai ii' i.tli' ss in'a working mine shall at a!l times be kept without 12 feet of the working f-ice: that a coal niimr's jig shall not exceed one chain in length; that the headings in a mine shall cot be more than 50 yards apart; that pillars between headings shall be at le;ist 50 yards thick, and that the slits in the pillars shall not be more than 25 yards apart. Tl'.e amendment was negatived by 40 votes to 17 votes. Progress was reported. The House adjourned at 5.50 p.m. and resumed at 7.50 p.m. I)fvATH OF MR KELLY. The Premier announced the death of Mr Wm. Kelly at Auckland, and read a detailed statement of the deceased's sendees to New Zealand. The Premier said that, the deceased would always be remembered as a very genial and good man. He had suffered illness a long time and he (tho Pr rnier* said lie was voicing the feci - ioir of the lloi>_e by moving "That this rT'i-jst- records its high sense of the faithfid services rendered to Nov.- Zealand by the late Hon. W. Kelly and the loss this co'intry has sustained bv h's death and nspet-lfully teiid-rs to hi.; : intiv- s the j assurance of its sincere sympathy with them

in their bereavement/' Mr -M'a.sscy eulogised tlic deceased statesiii:«ll and regretled liis loss. He Avas he said one of 1 lie typical settlers of the colony in -the early clays. He luul looked v.'oll after the yvelf-n e of his constituents; did lib duly to tlie colony, and had not made an er.vmv (lyvni-i his long connection with Parliament. He .seconded the motion. Mr llerries al:*o expressed his regret ai the d-jcea.se of the hon. gentleman and stated that deceased vas an institution in th-> Bay of Plenty v.'hich district he had represented faithfully and will. .Mi- Flatinan spoke in euhigi.-tic terms of dvccas.'«rs scrviw* and qualities The House adjourned at 7AO p.m. until ■to-morrow. '