PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 76, 26 September 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30. The Fencing Bill was further considered in committee without any alterations of any consequence being made. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 25. The House met at 2.30. Hon. Reeves announced to the House that botli x>arties at the boot conference in Christchurch had filed in the Supreme Court an agreement under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, binding them not to have a strike or lock out over any dispute that may arise out of the conference. This was the first practical use to which that Act had been put since it was passed, and it was a pleasure to learn that the result had been so satisfactory. Hon. Seddou informed the House that under the present census laws it was necessary to take the census of the colony next year. Ho found, however, that other colonies had extended the time for taking the cenus, and as our population in New Zealand had not increased very much of late years Government thought it as well to extend the time of taking tho census till 1901, which was the time fixed by the Imperial Act and also by the other colonies. The necessary bill would be introduced in the Legislative Council without delay. The extension of the census meant a saving to the colony of £20,000. In reply to Mr Buchanan, Mr- Seddon said the proposal to make the alteration in the City electorates would not be carried out before the next general election. The Customs and Excise Duties Bill was further considered in committee, Schedule B, consisting of the free list, being dealt with. Mr Thomas McKenzie moved to place all kinds of salt on the free list, the schedule providing only for the free admission^ of rock salt. Mr Seddon said he could noi accept the amendnents, as it would embarrass the Goyernment finance. So many reductions hud been carried already that Government would have to strike some items off the free trade list to make up the necessary revenue. Unless this were done Government would probably have to face a deficit, which surely members did not wish to occur. j Hon J. McKenzie said it simply amounted to this, if the revenue were curtailed the votes for roads and bridges would have to be reduced. The farming community had received very many con cessions under thi3 tariff, and they ought to be satisfied. The reductions already made in the tariff amounted to £23,000. He asked the House to stand by Government and prevent any more reductions being made. If further reductions were made taxation would have to be increased on land, and he knew the way to do it. Captain Russell said further taxation couid not be put on the land because farmers were so heavily taxed now as to be in many cases in a state of bankruptcy. Hon. McKenzie retorted that if taxation could not be got from the Customs it must be imposed in some other shape or form. Mr G- W. Russell moved that coarse and rock salt be put on the free list, That would confine the exemptions to two classes of salt. Hou. Ward reminded the Hoiise that the colony was committed to make salt an article of the riciprocal treaty with South Australia, and on that account the remission could not be made. One fourth of the coarse salt imported into New Zealand came from South Australia. Mr Russell's amendment was lost by 40 to 19, and Mr T. McKenzie's was negatived on the voices. In class 5, drugs, &c. f Hon Ward moved to put sheep ticks, horse drenches, maltine and chlorodyne on the free list. — Agreed to. Mr Earnshaw moved to add emulsion of cod liver oil to the free list. — Lost by 32 to 22. Hon. Ward moved to add medical baths, herbs, flowers, roots, leaves and gums to* the free list. — Agreed to. In class 10, fancy goods, etc. Captain Russell moved to admit free jot duty stained glass windows specially imported for churches or public buildings. — Lost by 35 to 18. Fencing wire was finally placed on the free list by 33 to 22. In the item dairying machinery, Mr Millar moved to strike, out engines and boilers especially imported for and to be used in a dairy. This led to a long discussion on the general question of taxation of machinery. Mr Seddon said he would like to see all machinery placed on the same ingMr Ward suggested a tax of five per cent on all machinery. This would mean an increase of £6,000 and would make up for some of the reductions. Mr Seddon said if this tax were not granted there would either be a deficit or Government would only spend the money that came in. Oapt Russell protested against the proposed tax as likely to injure every manufacture in the colony. Mr Seddon said the taxation of machinery was forced on the Government by the action of the Opposition. Representatives of the farmers were also doing their best to kill the Government by compelling them to have a deficit. On a division, Mr Millar's amendment was carried by 27 to 25, and engines and boilers struck out of the free list. Mr Ward then moved to strike out all items enumerated under the heading of machinery for agricultural purposes. He said this would afford an opportunity of testing the feeling of the House as to the proposed tax of five per cent on all machiuciy. After further discussion Mr Ward's motion was parried by 32 to 24. Machinery for flour mills, etc., and for mining purposes, and the other kinds of machinery mentioned in the schedule, were also* struck out in conformity with the previous resolution. No alterations of much consequence wcro made on the remaining clauses of the Bill, and on being reported it was recommitted, and a new clause added providing that no refund shall be made on fruit. It was altered to the effect that between July 14th, and December 31st, apples and pears be admitted at a duty of £d per lb. Mr Ward moved that Turkey twill and printed cotton, and dress fabrics, uuder 4d per yard, be altered from 10 to 20 per cent, was lost by 25 to 22. Mr Ward said the clause as it stood was unworkable, and a technical amendment was consequently inserted. The Bill was reported and the House rose at 4.15 a.m.