THE TARIFF-

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1860, 14 September 1906, Page 2

THE TARIFF-

DEBATE IN THE FEDERAL

PARLIAMENT.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 10.59 p.m., Sept. 13. Melbourne, Sept. 13. In the reciprocal treaty debate Mr Willis sa'd tbat while Britain vyas taxing her people 15 times higher than Australians, and they were taxed to provide funds for a navy to protect Australia’s trade, the Commonwealth turned round and prohibited the importation of British goods. No treaty with New Zealand would be accepted uoleiis it provided free* trade between the two countries. Mr Joseph Oock moved an amendment that while affirming the desirability of a commercial treaty with New Zealand the House requests the Prime Minister to en- .. deaver to negotiate a treaty covering a wider range of duties, and confining preference to mutual reduction of existing duties. . Mr Deakin explained that at the beginning they considered the question whetheit was possible to make an agreement of a general obaracter, or whether they should limit themselves to particular items. Mr Beddon bad Eaid he was not prepared to make any prrpisals of a general character, and that the only proposals that were praotioal were those which dealt with -> items. Then they took the New Zealand and Oomraonwealth.tariffj, and the_ proposals now made represented those items upon which they were able to agree. Mr Cook said that Mr Seddon bad been so long in control of New Zealand that he had probably ceased to follow currents of public opinion, but created eurrents for himse’f and for others to follow The faot that so much opposition had beenraised in New Zealand to the treaty ' showed that Mr Seddon’s opinion did not 1 correspond with the matnrer judgment of the people there. The matter had never been considered by commercial men in New Zealand. Mr Seddon had all through sought to get more protection for’his colony than to cultivate relations with Australia.

Received 11.25 p.m., Sept. 13. Mr Joseph Cook, continuing, said that no consideration was given the apart from New Zealand Canada haiSL already offered reciprocity. Government should have informed Canada of the New Zealand treaty. Mr Deakm stated that at the time Cinada made the offer be eommnnicated, but had not yet received any reply from Canada. Mr Cook pointed out that Canadian products were muoh more heavily taxed under t- le treaty. The Common wealth by the treaty would diyert more trade from British places than it was possible to diveti to B-itish places under the other preferen* tial trade proposals. There tbuß would be a net lobs to Britain. Aust-alia was to soore under both Brit sh and New Zealand treaties by increased protection. That Was not displaying the spirit of selfsaorifioe whiob ought to animate them in endeavoring to factor the Empire’s trade. Mr Deakin declared that carrying the * amendment would be fatal to the treaty! ' and introduce the new principle of confining - preference to the reduction of existing) : du ies. Mr Cook’s proposal was illusory. Toe House was a-ked to set aside proposals for an undefined one. It - prevent any beginning being made fob closer trade relations. Had Mr Seddort been alive to put bis full views on the} subject from an Australian point of view there would have been little difficulty in getting New Zealand to accept it. Mr Cook interpolated that Sir Joseph - Ward was an able business man, and put /. the matter very fully before the New Zea* ) land Parliament. Mr Deakin said that Sir Joseph Ward had not had the advantage of beocming acquainted with Australian views and theY difficulties in the way cf arranging .tj, treaty different to the present one. Pro* teotionists could not aooept any other principle regarding duties than that embodied in the present treaty. Mr Kennedy supported the treaty. Messrs Johnson and Knox opposed the timber duties. Mr Kelly said Government were debasing Imperial sentiment for the benefit of mannfactnrers. After further disonsaion Mr Cook’s amendment was rejected by 32 to 11. The debate is proceeding.