TIMBER EXPORT BILL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 8 November 1901, Page 3

TIMBER EXPORT BILL.

(per press association.) Wellington, Nov. 7. Tho following is a fuller report of Sir J. G. Ward’s speech in tho House this morning on the second reading of the Timber Export Bill. He said tho delay in the appearance of the Bill was due to the desire on the part of the government

to ascertain what the Commonwealth intended on. He went on to say that he was strongly opposed to anything in the shape of retaliatory action by New Zealand in consequence of tho imposition of tho Federal tariff. He did not believe that in arranging the proposed Federal tariff, the leading statesmen of Australia were animated by feelings that were hostile to New Zealand, and he urged that such an impression should not be allowed to go abroad. In New Zealand the task of Federal Statesmen in arranging the fiscal policy was necessarily difficult and their action should bo judged without feeling, as far a 3 New Zealand was concerned.

No one could tell what the future destiny of either country would be, and it was certain that both must be actuated by very much tho same sentiments. Neither country could afford to jeopardise a friendship which everyone must admit should exist between them. An endeavor should be made when mattars had sottled down to reciprocate upon such commercial matters as would not injuriously affect cither country. In introducing the Timber Export Bill Government had taken an unique depar. ture in not imposing an export duty now, but instead, had taken power to do so by order of the Governor-in-Council, if necessary and this was only for the purpose of ensuring that a great industry tha' had done much good in different parts of Now Zealand should not, if it were possible to prevent it, be in any way injured or restricted. He personally would assist in every way towards effecting satisfactory arrangements in this as well as in other matters affecting the two countries, but he would not for one moment countenance any proposal of a hostile character in the shape of retaliation against the Australian Commonwealth. Ho would very much like to see reciprocity arranged.