PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2172, 30 August 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Press Association. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. After midnight on Wednesday an amendment to place hill-hooks, slashers, and hedge-knives on the free list was moved'by Mr. Herries. ,l\Jr Biuldo said these were now being made by the blacksmiths of the colony who produced a much superior artioie to the imported one. . .Mr Millar said the industry, which originated under a 20 per cent duty, had languished owing to the duty having been removed. The present proposals were in accordance with the Government’s nolicy of granting assistance to local industries. The amendment iv.ts negatived by 40 to 2d. At cla use 13 (goods subject to 20 per cent., motor vehicles, other than motor cars and motor ’buses, and wheels for same, motor car bodies or bodies for motor ’buses, whethei attached or unattached), Mr. Hornsbv moved to strike out the words other than motor cars or motor ’buses, holding that the clauso as framed was indefinite, and his point was to make the whole car pay 20 per cent. A long discussion followed. Tho amendment was carried by 34 votes to 32. . , Mr. Massey moved to exempt seed oats from duty.—Lost on division by 43 to 19. , , . . Mr. Hogg moved an amendment to abolish the duty on'flour, which was negatived by 32 to 31. . , . All tho schedules wore, completed

3i (j referred to tho Committee of the Houso on the Tariff, and progrea. was reported. Tim House rose-at 1.55 The Houso resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE TARIFF. At clause 19, which provides that when in the op in ion of the Collector of Customs it is necessary to analvso any article for the purpose of ascertaining what duty it is liable to pay. tho fee for tho analysis shall bo sucli as tho Minister for Customs may direct, and shall bo paid by the importer. Mr. Aitken urged that tho cost or half the cost of tho analysis should he paid by the Customs Department. •Air. Alillar said the clause would not affect honest importers, but was intended to operate against importers who were reasonably suspected of systematically importing articles wrongly described. , Tho clause was agreed to unaltered.. At clause 21, which provides that tho Minister of Customs may classify 33 nv medicinal preparation or articio t’ bned to be such under any other heading of tho tariff if, in his judgment such preparation can be easily rendered .fit for use as a beverage, flavoring essence, toilet preparation, perfumed spirit, or as an article or spirituous .ingredient m an article subject to a higher rate of duty than a medicinal preparation. . Ail amendment was made to bring medicated infants’ food within tlio clause. Tho amendment was agreed • to and the clauso passed. -Mr Guinness -robosed a new clauso to provide for .the prohibition of ornaments of glass and other lit of JN'ew Zealand greenstone

from entry into New Zealand, and in the event of any such articles reaching tho colony, to ho forfeited. He pointed out that an article called “new greenstone” manufactured in Germany was being largely imported, and was competing with tho native greenstone. Mr. Millar said Mr. Guinness was mistaken regarding tho countr” of manufacture. This article, “new ■Metuistoue,” was made in Birmingh» and on tho cards holding “now *® W Tlstono” were inscribed words 555511 tig they wero imitation, and not To real article. Ho had no objection to tho clause. Mr. Han an maintained that “new greenstone” did compete with tho real article. 110 added that tho cards bore a New Zealand emblem —kiwis, etc. —to deceive purchasers into the belief they wero tho genuine article. Mr. Flat man said many people could not afford to genuine greenstone, and this 'particularly referred to cliildron. On that account ho hoped tho clause would not bo included. Mr. McKenzie argued that .if thov prohibited imitation greenstone tho value of the real article would depreciate.

Tho Premier hoped Mr. Guinness would pot press tho now clause, as if ca ; t ied it should bo applied to all imitations and spurious articles. He thought tho dealing with these imitations should bo left to tho discretion of tho Minister.

Mr. Guinness said there had been petitions presented on the subject. He added that greenstone was an industry of N.Z., and should be protected. Tho Minister had had power to deal ’ With imitations for foulveal’s, but had done nothing. Mr. Laurenson, whilst agreeing with the views put forth by Mr. Guinness, thought it inadvisable to include such a clause in a Customs Bill. Tho Minister had power under clause 67 of the Act of 1902 by order of tho Governor-in-Council to prohibit tlm importation of this article, and it would be better if the Minister, who inv.v knew tho feelings of the House, adopted such order. The amendment was carried on the Chairman’s casting vote. On a division that the clause stand part of the Bill the ayes were 31 and tho noes 33, ami the clause was struck out.

Mr. Guinness moved a further clause, that all packing cases or boxes used for importing goods or articles upon which duty is payable shall be admitted duty free. ■Mr. Millar said the revenue now received from this source was £14,000. On this account he opposed tho amendment. The whole matter had been carefully gone into. The Premier said that if the duty was taken off packing cases the duty would have to be placed on some other article to make up the £14,000. Ho asked members wln.t article it was proposed to substitute for packing cases ? - A LIVELY PASSAGE. Mr. McLachlan rose to speak, when the Chairman called on Mr. Wilford. Mr.' McLachlan interjected: I was ill> first—l was up before Sir Joseph Ward.

The Chairman again called Mr. Wilford, anil ordered Mr. McLachlan to resume his seat. Mr. McLachlan said ho would how to tho arbitrary rule, but it was not honest. The Chairman called on Mr. McLachlan to withdraw, hut ho said he would not do so, hut would leavo the House. Tho Chairman called on tho Leader of tho House, and Sir Joseph Ward said tho authority of tho Chairman must he maintained. Mr. McLachlan withdrew tho objectionable remark. Mr. Wilford explained that the trouble arose through Mr. McLachlan not being able to see him (Mr. Wilford) rise, as he was behind Mr. McLachlan. Mr. Wilford said he would not oppose the Government’s tariff, as they had made such a largo reduc-

tion in taxation. iMr. McLachlan contended that the Government had made a mess of things in taking tho duty off sugar and removing the sheep-tax. The Chairman ruled Mr. MoLachlan out of order, as the slieep j tax was not before tho House. Mr. McLachlan said he would support the amendment. . The Premier said they were making concessions totalling £280,000 to £300,000, and if reductions were carried totalling £14.000 as now proposed it would bo the duty of the Government to make further alterations making up that deficiency. - Mr. Massey said that if the Government was going to use its majority to prevent reductions being made or any amendment made in a Bill tho sooner Parliament went home and left the Government to manage tlio affairs of tho colony the bettor for all concerned. • Tho Premier said the Government know its responsibilities and accepted them. The Government was responsible for the tariff and the finances of the colony and not the Leader of the Opposition. Supposing this proposal and other reductions were carried it would be the duty of the Government to withdraw the tariff. If the Government found that it was being carried into an unsafe position it would not accept the position even if brought about by its f-iends. The proposed reduction would not benefit tho consumer m any way. ‘Tho second reading of proposed 'new clause was negatived by 51 to

IJ The committee then proceeded to consider schedule A of the Bill.„ At the first item, foods and articles for human consumption, Mr. Aitken moved that the duty on fish, potted and preserved, be reduced from. 2a to lid per lb. This was negatived by 45 to 22. , Progress was reported _ and tlio House adjourned at midnight.