8.—2

26

Bagging, Bags, Sacks and Woolpacks, empty ... ... ... ... ... " Baskets and Wickerwaro Carriages, Carts, Drays and Waggons, Carriage and Cart Wheels, Axle Arms and Boxes, Perambulators ... Drugs, Druggists' Sundries, and Apothecaries' Wares, Cream of Tartar, Tartaric Acid and g Bicarbonate of Soda, Perfumery, Scented and Fancy Soap, Hair Brushes and Combs ... £ Grindery, Lasts, and Shoemakers' Wooden Pegs ... ... ... ... ~ Hardware, Ironmongery, Cutlery, Plated Ware, Holloware, Nails, Tacks, Brass, Copper, Zinc, » and Lead Manufactures not otherwise enumerated ; Horse Shoes, Iron Safes, Sad Irons, "§ Buckets and Tubs of iron, Tinware, Japanned and Lacquered Metal Ware, Artificers' , g Tools not otherwise enumerated ; Weighing Machines, Lamps, Lanterns and Lamp ' _g Wick, Bellows, Blacking, Blacklead, Sheet and Pig Lead, Lead Piping, Sheet Zinc, g Chains (except of gold and silver) made of wire, or rods of half-an-inch in diameter and under Leather Cloth, Hair Seating, Curled Hair, Upholsterers' Webbing, Metal Springs, Blind o Cord and Tape ... ... ... ... ... ... *H Mantel Pieces Stationery, Account Books, Writing Paper, Writing Ink, Copying Presses, Paper Bags, Wrapping Paper, Paper Hangings, Unframed Paintings, Drawings, Pictures, Engravings and Prints ... ... ... ... ... ... J Biscuits, fancy ... ... ... ... ... ... the lb., 2d. Eope, Cordage, and Twine ... ... ... ... ... the cwt., sb. Allowing for the difference which it is certain will be made in the declared value of Imports, and for the gradual falling off of some importations, we think that the alteration we propose will not increase the Customs revenue. On some articles, there may be an increase, but only because uniformity is necessary. On the whole, we only estimate the Customs revenue with the proposed ad valorem duties in force, at what we might reasonably expect it would yield with the present duties. Under the new system, our Tariff will resemble that of Victoria, only that on. most of the heavy articles as to which we propose changes, we have determined on ad valorem duties much less than those charged in Victoria, whilst, in the few cases in which our proposals exceed those of Victoria, the amounts concerned are comparatively small, and we adopt such increases only to preserve uniformity. When the Committee consider the amount of Victoria's revenue from her Gold Fields and her Land, and remember that that Colony neither has nor has had a "Native difficulty" with which to struggle, I think our Tariff will very favourably compare with hers. In New Zealand there has not only been a "Native difficulty," but the Waste Lands of which the Colony has become possessed have had to be purchased. In Victoria, the whole landed estate passed at once to the Colony without cost or trouble; besides that the Gold Eields have been enormously productive. But I trust that the Committee will not understand me to admit that, weighted as New Zealand has been with the Native difficulty, she is unfavourably placed in the race. Eor I hold that, allowing for difference of population, the material evidences of prosperity are in favour of New Zealand—no matter by what principle of investigation the statist may seek to test the actual or the comparative position of the Colony. Mr. Anthony Trollope would perhaps characterize this as " blowing;" but the Colonists of New Zealand maybe content to believe that they are justified in speaking the truth, though it be in their own praise. WATS AND MEANS, 1873-74. Coming now to the question of Ways and Means, I will submit to the Committee an estimate of the revenue for 1873-74, and will compare it with the estimate for 1872-73, and the actual receipts at the Treasury during that year:—

Believed that Customs Bevenue will not be increased by new Duties.

Tariff will resemble that of Victoria. Any Blight excesses, result from desire for uniformity.

Comparison between Victoria and New Zealand.

Though weighted with Native difficulty, New Zealand not unfavourably placed.

Wayß and Means, 1873-74.