HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1878, 27 June 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, June 26, AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL The Custom Duties Bill was farther considered In Committee. Tea, 6d per lb. Captain Russell moved — "That the item be reduced to 4d." Sir H. Atkinson Bald It was unreason-, able for any member to propose euoh a motion as this. He wished the House clearly to understand that the tea duty wfia a genera] part of the Budget, and if the Honse rej oted It, Government would have to consider how far their Bndget had been spoiled. Captain Rusßell disclaimed any idea of striking it out altogether ; he had simply moved his motion as it appeared on the Order Paper. He asserted that the present tariff would do more to Injure the credit of the Colony tban anything elae that oould happen. There being some misunderstanding between the Chairman end Captain Russell aa to the exaot words of the amendment, Captain Russell then moved that the item be Btruok out, with the view of Inserting 34 per lb. He was Burprlssd to hear that the Premier Intended taking the motion as a vote of " No confidence " He pointed out that the proposed tea duty was higher than that of any other colony, and he failed to see any necessity for that. He spoke at some length on the question, and said he should vote against any increase m the tea duty, Mr Hutohlaon Bald the proposed tax on tea was a mcst iniquitious one, and he oared not who led, he would follow him m voting agiinat it, Mr Duncan would vote against the duty on the ground that many other items could better bear it. M? Turnbnll would snpport the doty, as' he believed tha Government were aoting m tha best iuteroits of the country. M* Falton supported the amendment, aa he was opposed to paying subsidies to local bodies . Mr Ballance considered raising the school ago would be a greater injury than the tea duty, and yet those members who opposed the tea duty were m favor of the former oourse. He did not like the tea duty, because it was on an article of general consumption, bat he liked etlll less striking off other tervioes which people were accustomed to, and he should therefore vote for the increased tea doty, Messrs Fish, Menteath, Reeves (Inau- \ gahua), Goldle, O'Oonor, Oadmao, Dr Hodqklnson and others having spoken. Sir H. Atkinson eaid the poßitlou the Government would take up was a very dear one. He had stated, m his Financial Statement, that the Government, after oarefal consideration, had come to the conclusion that the payment of subsidies should be continued. He had oertalnly invited the Houbo to consider the Badget impartially, and had said he should be i glad to accept euggeetlons j bqt he also f told them that he would not allow his Budget to be torn m pieces by any Party He now stated that he considered the tea duty m general, part of the Government proposals ; and gentlemen who voted oa it must take the responsibility of anything they did. If a reduotion of the duty were carried, he should at onoa move that progress be reported, so as to con* slder the position of tho Government. The mo' ion for striking out tho item was put and lost on the voices Mr Ruesell then moved that the duty be reducad to 4d. The m,otioa for the reduction of the item to 4d was then put and loat by 42 to 35, Qnd the duty of 6.d per lb carried, " Sir H Atkinson moved to report progress, to enable an Imprest Supply Bill to be brought down. Motion agreed to, and an order made that the tariff should be resumed later on ip the evening. The House rose at 5 30 p.m.