HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1868, 15 June 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING. The Houce met at 2.30 p.m. OUBXOMB DUTIES JIILIi. Mr O'Oallaghan resumed the debate oa the Customs Daties Bill, He oontended Proteotion would be a benefit to small farmers rather than an injury, es by it the farm'nj community would obtain a local market for their produce, and would get the highest prloea m. sUoh a market. He objected to the contlnuaotie of .the San Francisco service, and also to the tea doty proposed (or looal bodies' subsidies. He also objeoted to the primage duty. Mr Dodson. as an old Freetrader and supporter of Government, said that he was not at all Ukeo. by surprise at the Premler'a action, as they knew that he (the Premier) had for yean a growing tendency toward*- Protection as a means of raising revenue. He agreed with Mr Ormond that if his resolution for raising the Bohool age had been|f airly, putio the vote the Hnusa would have been m favor of It. He urged the olaims of the Gathollo portion of the community to some assistance, and hoped Government would take this question Into their earnest consideration, , ..'"'•: Mr Ballanoe welcomed Mr Dodson as % oonvert to Protection,' although the hon gentlenoan was still a Freetrader m ■ theory t He (Mr Billanoe) bad always been a Protectionist, and he waa of opinion that it waa absolutely necessary for the oonntry, and whether the present -BUI was perfect or no 1 , he felt that the tariff proposals would give hope and enoouragement to those people who were leaving the country. He held that the Treasurer was justified from a Freetrade point of view In proposing the tariff, and from a 'Protectionist point of view he was also warranted la 00 adjusting the revenue so as to assist looal industries. .He disapproved of the Bohool age, and held thai no feasible argument had been advanced agalmt the San Franoisoo mail servioa a Mr Maokenzle (Olutha) was Butpriied to hear a member of Mr Ballanoe's experience defend the San Franoisoo service. : He held that if the tariff pasted it would mean an Inoreased cost of* production to farmers, as they would have to pay higher priom for everything they required. . . . Mr Mills Wftß not one of tha band of Freetradera who had renouno'ed their allegiance to Government over , ; this question, but be still felt m a very awkward position. . > • The debate was Interrupted by the 5.30 p,m. adjournment.' . ! '• •