THE HEW TARIFF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2192, 23 September 1907, Page 1

THE HEW TARIFF.

BILL FINALLY PASSED. _• Press Association. WELLINGTON. Sept. 20. When tlio Legislative- Council mot this afternoon the discussion on the second reading of the Tariff Bill was resumed. Mr. Georgo, who had previously moved the adjournment of the debate, stated that as he understood the Government wished to get through the Bill that day he would waive his right to speak. The Attorney-General said there was no desire to burke discussion either way. Mr. T. Kelly thought tho Government had been wisely modest in its proposal for protective duties, and ho approved the remission on necessaries of life, especially on sugar, which would cheapen jams and other commodities in which sugar was largely used. Mr. Loughnan thought it was a >ity sweated food could not be prolibitod altogether. Mr. J. G. Smith held that all possible encouragement should be given our own manufacturers, and he uphold the preferential tariff, holding that we had a right to give British manufacturers preference over foreign countries. In regard to the interpretation of the Tariff, there ought to be a provision for appeal to tho Minister for Customs. He believed that the attitude of the Government in passing, the Tariff had been "absolutely fair to all sections of the community.

Mr. Luke did not think tho Govern-' •meirt had Shown that magnanimous spirit of assistance to manufacturers ‘that they ought to have shown, and which the country had a right to expect. With all their fighting over the tariff the Government had not been able to get more than 5 per cent, duty on machinery. He urged that the iron and other industries of the country should receive the fullest encouragement. He strenuously advocated the utilisation of the water power of the country for manufacturing ■and other purposes, and said that if the Government could not do so they should let others take the matter, in hand. There was a great future for electrical engineering in this colony. Mr. Barr said he believed the general community would largely benefit by the remissions of duty. He thought, that the duty should have been relieved upon liolloware, seeing that it would be years before the colony could supply the demand. He regretted the neglect in the tariff of the saddlery and harness trade, which had for some years been going back. He also objected to tho duty on raw cotton.

Mr. Scoullar contended that' the duty on raw cotton would help to preserve the reputation of our woollen industry. Mr. Scotland said that the Tariff was composed in the most masterly way, and was most lucid-

The Attorney-General having replied in a very few words the second reading was carried. The Standing Orders were suspended, and the Bill put through its final stage and passed.