The Tariff Commission.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5211, 19 March 1895, Page 3

The Tariff Commission.

•> All the Commissioners were present a yesterday afternoon's sitting, nearly th< whole of which was occupied by taking lengthy evidence on the eatsblishmantjol a local industry, the name and nature ol which ore not tobe disclosed. Mr A. Andre ws, of the firm of Andrews and Co., bookbinders and manufacturing stationers, gave evidence in favour of admitting leathers used in bookbinding free, and of imposing a substantial duty on mann^ faetured stationery. Mr E. F. Dombrain presented a petition signed by a number of farmers and station-holders, against imposing any duty on imported sheep dip. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned to 9.30 a.m. to-day. It is expected that the members or the Commission will leave here on Friday next. The Tariff Commission met at 9.30 this morning. Mr E. G. Staveley (president) and Mr M. Murphy (secretary) of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, gave evidence on behalf of the Aesociation, and at the request of a number of station-holders and others,against the proposal of certain persons to place a duty on imported sheep-dips. At the request of the Commission, the witnesses gave their opinion as to whether or not a duty should be placed on certain implements and materials used by farmers. Mr A. L. Smith (of tbeMilbum Cement Company) and Mr H. B. Kirk (President of the Canterbury Industrial Association and representative of Wilson and Co., cement manufacturers, Auckland) attended and asked for a duty on imported coinent. Mr Kirk pointed out that if thiß were done vessels, instead of bringing out cement as ballast, would probably bring out bricks, and he aek;d that this might be provided against. Mr W. Leach (of Gavin, Gibson and Co.), Mr J. Harris (of W. Harris and Co.) and Mr A. Nicholls (of Chianall, Stewart md Co.) boot importers, attended to proteat tgainst the proposed tariff of the manufacturers and shoemakers, on the ground that it would increase tho cost of Eome-mido boots of the kind used by the poorer classes. They objected to the jliding-Ecale, aa it would affact the cheaper slaeses of boots, which could not be manufactured in the colony. Mr J. L. Scott, of Scott Bros., asked for i remission in the tariff on nutp, tapped mts, set screws, engineers' etude, plumaago crucibles, boiler tubes, boiler furnaces md flues and Adamson's flue?, aB they ;ould not be manufactured in the colony. Engiaes above a certain capacity should 38 made to pay duty, as well aB smaller sngines, as they could be manufactured >rofitably in the colony. He recommended .hat governors for engines should not be tdmitted free.