THE DUTY ON MINING MACHINERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2185, 14 September 1907, Page 1

THE DUTY ON MINING MACHINERY.

THE HOUSE FIXES IT AT FIVE PER CENT.

(Special to Times.) "WELLINGTON, September 12. The House in its consideration of the tariff this evening was again plunged into a discussion on the question of tlie duty on mining machinery which was ■ the cause of the rebuff sustained by the Government last week. On that occasion the House by 32 to 30 decided to remove tlie duty of five, per cent-, from certain items of mining machinery. In order, however, to give full effeot to this resolution it was necessary to place the items on tho free list as otherwise having been struck off the five per cent, list this would be subject as machinery not otherwise enumerated to a duty of 20 per cent. To-night Mr. Guiness moved to add the items in question to the freq list. Elbe AJinistep for Customs in opposing the amendment, stated that the Government was agreeable to the restoring of the items to the five per cent list, hut lie contended that those members who had supported and carried Air. Merries’ amendment last week were really responsible for placing the items on the 20 per cent list. Tlie ■member for Napier spoke of Air. Guinness and those supporting him as advocating a parochialism which was tlie greatest curse, of the House. This remark provoked speeches from Alessrs Guinness, Poland and others who maintained that the mining industry was of a national andnot a parochial character.

The Premier in a contribution to tho debate ridiculed as “Nonsense” the. contention that the imposition of a 5 per cent duty on mining machinery would prejudicially affect the industry. "When the division was taken it was found that the numbers were not so close as was anticipated, the Government 1 winning by 34 to 22. The division list shows that of the six “antique” memb.ers who were so prominently concerned in last week’s incident three (Alessrs Dillon, Ross and Field) paired for the amendment whilst Air. Hall voted with the Government. The other two (Alessrs Hornsby and Jennings) took no part in tlie division. The division list can scarcely he. compared with last week’s list, as the question was then whether the items should he subject to five per cent duty. To-night it was a question of -wfmther They should remain on tho 20 per cent list or be free. This may account for some apparent reversals of votes.