PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2185, 14 September 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Press Association. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. REG U RATING FOOD SUPPLIES. The Pure Food Bill was further considered in committee. At clause 23 (onus of proof), the Attorney-General moved the following substitution for the original clause: “When any food ov drug is sold it shall be deemed to bo sold for human consumption or use unless the contrary is proved.” ,Tho general penalty danso was amended by limiting the fine to £2O. The Attorney-General moved a now clause, making it an effenco to sell bread except by weight, with a proviso excepting such particular classes of bread as the Governor may by regulation provide.

Replying to Mr. Paul, tho Attor-ney-General avid what would bo provided for in the regulations would-bo fancy bread. Mr. Jenkinson pointed out that throe-fourths of the bread sold would be fancy. (Mr. Paul moved to strike out tho proviso.

Mr. Bald.v pointed out that bakers could describe all bread as fancy. The Attorney-Geneml moved in order to exempt small goods, such as rolls, that the proviso should apply to all bread under 2lb weight. Mr. Paul accepted the amendment by the Attorney-General, and withdrew his motion. Mr. Jenkinson contended that this would enable bakers who' sold shortweight broad to escape, as where reputed 21b loaves were short-weight there would be no penalty. Tlio amendment was carried and tho new clause added to the Bill.

A new clause was inserted by the Attorney-General making this Act apply (so far as its provisions were applicable) to tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes. A further new clause was inserted, making inspectors and analysts under tho Adulteration Prevention Acts inspectors and analysts under this Act. Tho Bill was reported as amended. The Council rose at 4.20 p.m. .

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tho Hou.se met at 2.30 p.m. TRANSFER OF CHATTELS. The Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill, from the Council, was committed. Objection was raised to the centralisation of registration of chattels prorided under clause 4, which reads: “No instrument shall he registered in auy provincial district in pursuance of section 4 of the principal Act except with ' the registrar whoso office is situated within that district in one of the cities, or boroughs following, that is to say. Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, Wellington, Nelson. Blenheim, Hokitika, Christchuroli, Inveroargill.” On the motion of Mr. McGowan. Gisborne was added to tho clause. Mr. Hanan urged that all towns where the Supreme Court sat should be constituted registration offices under the Bill. Several other members supported Mr. Hanan. Mr. Mood moved that Palmerston North be added to the clause.—Carried by 29 to 28. Mr. Guinness urged that a new clause should be drafted embracing Mr. Hanan’s suggestion, and to provide for regulations by the Governor-,in-Council, showing which counties should be embraced in the* districts of the respective towns. Mr. Hogan moved to add MTanganui to the clause.—Carried by 28 to 25. Timaru and Oamaru wero inserted on the' voices. Progress was reported. COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND

MEANS The House went into Committeo of Ways and Means. COTTON AND WOOL MIXTURES. Mr. Janies Allen objected to the insertion of the item raw cotton 4d per lb. He contended that the tax would kill a young industry, which was out a new market for and woollen goods which were not intended to compete with pure woollen goods. This mixture of cotton and wool was in no way shoddy but was manufactured to give a cheap article to the people. So long as the goods were marked as mixture of wool and cotton ho urged that the industries should be assisted, as there was a demand for the goods and some of the larger woollen mills were importing these mixed articles. Mr. Millar said representations had been made from mills representing 80 per cent, of the woollen industry. It was contended by six of the largest mills that New Zealand woollens had made a name on the world’s markets and that name was being ruined by two mills which used cotton. If this praotice were continued the woollen mills would eventually be in the same position as the mills in Victoria which had been ruined by this practice. He asserted that “ flannel ” had been sold as pure wool which contained 35 per cent, cottton, and this article was manufactured in the colony. Ho contended that cotton should not bo used in either rugs or flannels. Rugs were being sent to the Old Country from this colony, and he maintained that it was in the interest of the colony to restrict the use of cotton in woollen goods, and that a duty of 4d per lb would have a restricting influence, as, with the reduction in price of wool, it would not be a great advantage to use cotton. He 'was advised by his experts that in somo fabrics an admixture of cotton and wool made a better article. This duty would meet the requirements of this class of article and would not unfairly restrict the trade. Mr. Ell defended the use of cotton in woollen goods as a better wearing arlicie could be so produced, suitable for working people, and could be sold chenpr.r -He. maintained that tweeds so made were far - more valuable to the workers. At the same time he contended that no. cotton should he used in blankets or flannols. Mr. Barber said the Minister had argued all along that he desired to assist local industries, but in this instance he had, by placing a duty on raw cotton equal to one hundred per cent of its value, seriously penalised a young and rising industry. Materials containing mixtures of cotton and wool were being imported under 20 per cent duty, yet local manufacturers who desired to make this material were taxed at the commencement with a tax on raw matorial of one hundred per cent. He pointed out that cotton yarns could -be imported at 20 per cent, yet if the manufacturers desired to start at the beginning and manufacture these yarns they had to pay a hundred per cent duty on the raw material. Mr. Millar said that in 1904 only 13201bs of raw cotton wore imported into the colony. In 1905 this increased to 60,2341bs and in 1906 to 87,132 lbs, and 90 per cent of this material had been used for carding and sold as pure wool in the form of flannels and blankets. Previous to this date ho contended that for 30 years the woollen mills of the country had got on principally without the uso of cotton. Ho added tliat very little raw cotton was used in tho manufacture of tweeds as cotton yarns were chiefly for this purpose. Mr. Hanau said tho cry of tho woollen mills in the past had beon against tho importation of shoddy, and now some of them were asking for facilities to make an article which they had previously condemned. Ho urged that tho colony should seek to produce an honest article. Ho added that if they desired new woollen mills to start in tho colony they should place a duty on cotton so as to allow o! genuine articles being manufactured instead of shoddy articles, masquerading under the name of genuine wool. Mr. Laurcnson contended that as far as possible they should keep out cotton and endeavor to retain the name of producing all wool and nothing but wool in-the manufactured article. He maintained that a suit of clothes averaged about 51bs weight. Tho effect of Mr. Ell’s argument was that if they retained tho duty it would cost the working man an additional fivepence on his suit or two pouco on a pair of pants.

Mr. Ell said Mr. Lauvonson had failed to allow of tho additional wearing qualities of mixed articles. Sir. Hardy contended that, an article of pure wool would wear longer and hotter than any mixture. He added that tho I’otone and Wellington mills had made a reputation in the Home market. for their products, but shoddy' articles that were being mado in tho colony wore seriously jeopardising the reputation of these and other New Zealand woollen mills. Mr. Jnmes Allen said that if tho law compelled tho mills to placo on their products exactly what they container! thon Mr. Millar’s arguments would fall to tho ground. Ho did not object if ho know tho percentage of tho mixturo was plnqod in tho article, but so long as cotton yarns were imported ho contended that'nothing should bo placod in tho way of mixtures being manufactured here. He. added that the demand for taxing raw cotton .was an attack on tho younger mills by tho cstamlished mills.

Mr. Grey agrood with tho Minister’s proposals, and would support him if ho mndo it sixponco. Mr. Barber said that tho large mills of tho colony imported largo quantities of mixed goods, and contended that it was tho desiro of these largo mills to prevent similar goods being manufactured locally in order that they might retain profits on those imports. Ho added that it was tho result of representations from those largo mills that had influenced tho Minister in taking raw cotton off tho free list. Mr. Buddo, in supporting tho Minister’s proposal, said tho woollen products of tho colony had mado a reputation even in England, and thoy should strive to maintain tho reputation.

Mr. Hogg contended that woollen articles wore more serviceable for people than mixtures, and certainly wore less dangerous than cotton mixtures which were highly inflammable ami had been tho cause of much loss of child-life. Tho Premier said tho Government had already shown .consideration for the working classes by conceding in cotton and linen piece goods £55,000. Strong representations had boon mado by tho proprietary of six woollen nulls that it was desirablo to tax raw cot ton in order to protect' the woollen industry. The position was put to the Government that if somo impost was not put on cotton it would serlouslv prejudice tho future of purely woollen mills. There was already a large percentage of cotton in flannels anti rugs-and'blankets, andns this became known then this class of article would be largely imported from other countries which could produce at a cheaper rate than Now Zealand. The public would have to bo protected against a combination to raise the price of woollen goods in some other way than by taking tho duty off cotton. If they placed all tho mills on an equal footing tho fittest would survive. The Government was animated by a sincere desire to help the woollen industry and to see that the public did not buy goods made of cotcon and wool mixed under the. im-' prossin that thoy wore purchasing pure wool.

Dir Massey contended that the only argument put forward in support of elm proposals was that a majority of the proprietary of the woollen mills had asked for it. Majorities were not always, in his opinion, right, and in this instance it appeared to him that it was an attempt of the larger mills to block tho smaller mills. It seemed to him positively absurd to put a duty on the raw material required for the manufacture of a cheap line of mixed cotton and woollen goods, whilst at the same time they were allowing the same class of goods to bo imported. He urged that all goods should bo stamped showing the percentage of cotton and wool contained in fabrics. Then people Would know exactly what they were paying for. He urged that iho Minister should placo raw cotton on tho free list. Mr McGowan said the duty on raw cotton was likely to induco tho natives of the Cook Islands to grow cotton, and if so then tho duty was a step in the direction of helping our own peoplo. Mr Poole said he was going to support raw cotton, as it was a material largely used by the people. Mr Okey announced that ho would support tho Minister’s proposals in order to encourage the uso of wool grown in the colony. Mr. Ell moved that the item, “Raw cotton 4d per lb,” be struck out with

a view to raw cotton being left on the free list. Tho amendment was negatived by 35 to 21. GENERAL. Paperhangings wero placed on the free list from 31st October, 1907, instead of 31st December, 1907. Engines and machines for mining purposes are under resolutions proposed to be replaced on the 5 per cent list. A now item, “Lead-lieaded nails, 20 per cent, ad valorem,” was agreed to. In class B a new item, “ Galvanising baths welded,” was ageed to. All the resolutions were then agreed to. Mr Millar then moved to recommit tho Bill for tho purpose of inserting three new clauses. The Minister moved a new clause (12a) to meet the case of contracts of sale made between importers and purchasers in New Zealand prior to July 17th nt a price including the duty payable in accordance with the tariff in force at the date of such contract. The clause provided : (a) That if goods had been entered before the passing of tho Act and duty had been paid thereon in excess of that in force at the date of the contract, tho collectors, if satisfied that tho goods had been delivered in pursuance with such contract, may allow a refund of such excess ; (b) if goods had not been entered before the passing of tho Act but before November Ist next the collectors, if satisfied of bona fides, may allow such goods to be admitted at the rate of duty in force at the date of such contract'.