PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 258, 8 November 1901, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

House of Representatives

(By Telegraph—Tress Association.) Wellington, last night. The House met at 11, when the Light Line of Railways Bill was introduced byMr l’irani and read a first time. t The annual report of the Tublic Health Department was laid on the table. Mr C. Mills moved the second reading of the Timber Export Bill, which provides that the Government may at anytime, by Order-in-Oouncil, cause a duty of os per 100 superficial feet (or such higher duty, not exceeding 5s per 100 foot, as may be determined by Order-in-Council!, to be levied on logs and halflogs, and a duty of its per 100 feet (or such less duty as may be determined by Order-in-Council) to be le\iod on ditches of any particular kind or size. Mr Mills said the Government bad tor some time considered it necessary to put a duty on timber leaving the colony to ho worked up in other places, and it was deemed advisable by the Government, in the interests of the industry, to give the Governov-in-Coutieil a little elasticity in regard to fixing the duty, so that it might be modified if the Commonwealth tarriff warranted it. Captain Bussell expressed the belief that this Bill had been delayed so as to prevent those who, like himself, held strong opinions in regard to trcetnule, from stating their views on the Bilk lie contended it was a wrong principle to impose an export duty under any conditions whatever, and the Bill smacked of retaliation. (Mr Mills: ) 0.l Llo also considered it an absi :t 'y monstrous principle to gi\ i tin Governor-in-Oouneil power to fix the amount of the duty. Sir Joseph Ward said that the delay m the appearance of the Bill was due to a desire on the part of the Government to ascertain w'.ntt the Commonwealth intended to do. lie ' «nt on to say that he was strongly opposed to anything in the shape of retaliatory action by New Zealand in consequence of the imposition of the Federal tar ill. He did not believe that in arranging the proposed Federal tariff the leading statesmen of Australasia were Muiiimted by feelings tluil wore hostile to New Zealand, and he urged that no such impression should bo allowed to go abroad in New Zealand. The task of the Federal statesmen in a.-rangmg a Fedetai policy was neeessstily difficult, and their action should be judged without fooling, as far as New Zealand was concerned. No one could tell what the future destiny of either country would be, and it was certain that both must bo actuated bv very much the sumo sentiments. Neither country could afford to

jeopardise a friendship .vhicli overyono must admit should exist between them. An endeavor should be made when matters had settled down to reciprocate upon such commercial matters as would not injuriously tilled either country. In introducing the Timber Export Duty Hill, the Government had taken a unique departure in not imposing an export duty now, but instead had taken power to do so by Govornor-in-Council if necessary, and this was only for the purpose of ensuring that a great industry that has done much good in ditlerent parts of New Zealand should not, if it were possiblo to prevent it, lie in any way injured or restricted, lie personally would assist in every way towards effecting a satisfactory arrangement in this as well as in other matters affecting the two countries, hut lie would not for one moment countenance any proposal of a hostile character in the shape of retaliation against the Australian Commonwealth. He would very much like to see reciprocity arranged. Mr Thus. McKenzie opposed any irritation of tire Australian people. Mr Monk did not favor the Hill, and Mr Meredith also opposed it. fu the course of further debate several members held that the Hill could easily be deferred till next session.

Mr Mill, in reply, emphatically declared tho Bill was not introduced in any spirit of retaliation, and stated the Hill was beforo the Cabinet three months ago to fmposo an export duty on bulk timber as a means of preserving the forosts of tho

colony. The second reading was carried by 33 t-o 17.

The Land Act Amendment Hill and Reserves and Other Lands Sale Disposal and Enabling and Public Bodies Empowering Rill were introduced by Governor’s Message, and read a first time. The House rose at 1 o'clock AFTERNOON SITTING. Tho llouso resumed at 2.30.

In Committeo on the Timber Export Bill the power to levy a higher duty than three shillings per hundred superficial feet, but not exceeding five shillings, was struck out of the schedule. The Bill was then put through the final stages. At 5.10 the House adjourned till 7.30, as a mark of respoet to the memory of tho late Hon. Bonar. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30.

The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Law Amendment Bill and Reserves and Other Lands Sale Disposal Bill passed through tho filial stages. A Bill to authorise tho salo and purchase of the Wcllington-Manawntu railway was introduced by Governor's message, and read a first time. Mr Seddon explained that the Bill was for tho purposo of giving Government an opportunity during the next few months of purchasing tho Wclliugton-Manawatu line on tho terms Government were prepared to give, which represents a sum of £255,000. He had every reason to hopo that before Parliament assembled next year the purchase would be effected.