THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3271, 14 August 1873, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] Wellington, August 13. The Canterbury Rivers Bill was read a first time. Dr. Pollen, in reply to Mr Peacock, said that the Government would shortly take steps to remove the wreck of the brig Australia, off Cape Campbell. On the motion, by Captain Fraser, for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the Governor’s answer in Lahmaa’s case, Mr Waterhouse strongly defended Lahman, and said he believed him innocent. Ha charged members with entertaining an animus against him on account of his social position. In reply to Taiaroa, Mr M ‘Lean said tba| a special Bill would be necessary 1 to obtain reversal of attainder for treason by Natives.' On the second reading of the Tariff Bill, Mr W. A, Murray (Bruce) objected to ten percent, duties, and advocated the raising of extra revenue by other means. He had received telegrams stating that seven per cent, would yield a large extra revenue. Mr M'Gillivray advocated a land tax,—Mr T. B. Gillies referred to his own efforts tp modify tariffs formerly. He said he noticed by section 11 that new appointments wepe contemplated-—Mr punter sajd that ad ya z lorem duties would afford greater facility for delivery.—Mr Webb advocated ad ualorem duties, but considered ten per cent, too high,—Mr Johnstone compared the different tariffs, showing an increase under the new tariff. He challenged the Commissioner of Customs to produce statistics.—Mr Reynolds said there was a statement on the table from actual invoices.—Mr Parker (Nelson) said that fresh taxation should not be imposed without more information. Mr header Wood said that, if the Government could not arrive at a valuation for last session, what value could be placed on the returns of imT'orts and exports ? Last session the Colonial Treasurer had promised to increase the tax on distilled spirits. Would he introduce such a Bill this session ?—Mr Reynolds replied in the negative.—Mr Wood said the Government promised to introduce such

Bill last session.--Mr Brimdoh hoped the Government ; would reduce the duty on harness. —Mr Rolleston opposed the tariff, because the House was not informed regarding the revenue returns under the present and formerjtariffs. The tariff would press hcarkly upon the industrial classes and people with small fixed incomes. Mr Johnstone said he would consider the tariff item by item in Committee. The Government evidently wanted the House to vote increased taxation. The consumer really paid the Customs duties, lie quoted proofs of an increase under the new tariff. He did not believe tbe statement that the proposed duties would not increase the tariff beyond fen or twelve thousand pounds. Mr Shepherd said there was distinct information before tbe House in support of the alteration. There was no reason for so much angry feeling and complication throughout the country. The increased duties might decrease the consumption of certain goods. Fraud could be stopped by heavy penalties. A new tariff was not needed. He would not oppose the Bill, but desired more information, Mr Cutbbertson said that the request for exact information was unreasonable. The ad valorem system was elastic, and duties will be more easily collected. The argument that an uniform duty of ten per cent, would increase the revenue was fallacious. Stagnation of trade would continue contemporary with the discussion. Mr Reynolds said he would take upon the Government the responsibility of the present tariff. The present was not the proper stage to discuss items in the tariff. He hoped the House would pass the Bill. Mr Stafford said that the tariff would fall heavily on consumers. There would be a considerable increase of taxation at the very time when the Treasurer stated there was no intention to increase taxation. This was like an attempt to trap the House. The Commissioner of Customs was not undeserving of reprehension for neglecting to inform himself upon tariff questions. He was not prepared to oppose the second reading of the Bill, but would divide the House with a view to securing a reduction ou certain ardeles. Mr Vogel said the difficulty on the part of the Opposition was in understanding the result of the change. He objected to introducing the question of working men into the discussion. If any class in the community were able to hear taxation, it was the working class. They had no right to complain of hearing a fair share of taxation under the ad valorem duties. Since the new tariff had been proposed, warehousemen were very ac tive, and no doubt were overlooking their own interests, by expending so large an amount of public spirit He had himself received a large number of telegrams. No doubt, they were acting in the interests of the working men. They could not compare the present and former tariffs. There was no common point of departure. The new tariff would increase the duties on expensive articles, but would decrease it on others. He had received a telegram from a manufacturer of boots and shoes in Dunedin, stating that he would have to close business if the new tariff passed ; and another telegram from an importer of boots ancl shoes to the same effect. The result, therefore, would be this —they would have to dispense altogether with boots and shoes. The Government could not put any more information on the table than a compilation from a few invoices at the disposal of the Government. The new tariff would not cause a loss. If it did yield an increase, it would enable the country to pay off some of its debt. The country ought not to be ruled by importers. The figures showed that the new tariff would yield 1.90,000 increase on revenue. The large amount of importations as compared with Australia might be attributed to delay in declaring the value of imports. Warehousemen in this and the neighboring Colonies were making enormous fortunes, hie was informed that one warehouseman, receiving five per cent, profit on bis business, found that the amount became so largo that he was unable to invest money in the business as he bad done, and one partner was obliged to go Home to alter the deed of partnership. Mr Stafford used to have a tariff Bill passed in one sitting. The new tariff was not proposed by the Government with a view to increasing the revenue, but simply keeping on the right side. Victorian exemptions would not be found to work well, hxact information regarding the two tariffs was not available. The Government were prepared to take the responsibility of the tariff. Though threatened with opposition stage by stage in Committee, the Government would press the Bill in its present shape. The second reading of the Tariff Bill was carried without a division. It is intended to carry through the Bill before any other business, and it is to be committed the first tiling to-morrpw (this day). The House rose at 0.80 p.m. August 14. Mr Gillies received a telegram from the Upholsterers of Auckland, urging a reduction pn hair stuffing, &c. Tbe Goveiparent have agreed to admit them free. ' Mr Stafford authorises the Anglo-Austra-lian Bress Agepcy to flatly contradict the rumor that he is a candidate for the AgpntGeneralship. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) In the Upper ’House to-day, the question was mooted to consider how Mr Stevenson, agent of the Auckland Improvement Bill, should be punished for threatening Mr Reed, editor of the Auckland Star, if he failed to support tbe Bill. The Goldfields Bill was considered by the Goldfields Committee. On clause 30, re two heads of water being allowed to run down a sreek for general purposes, the division was as follows Ayes : Messrs Steward, Macandrew, Brown, White, Bradshaw, Mervyn. Noes ; Messrs Shepherd, Tribe, O’Neill, and O’Conor. Messrs Bradshaw and Shepherd nearly came to blows on the question. The Alexandra, Dunstan, and Arrow papers were not presented to the Committee until after the Bill wds agreed upon. The Bill Will be reported this day with more alterations than'was generally thought. : Rumor says that negotiations have taken place between tfie Canterbury and Otago members as to a severance of tbe two Islands, and removal of the seat of Government.